Chosan, Optomus & Iyeoka

In the Name of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 (2008)

'Desire'

album

In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 features brand-new covers of classic U2 songs by Grammy Award-winning and up-and-coming African artists including Angelique Kidjo, Les Nubians, Sierra Leone's Refugee All Stars, Vieux Farka Touré, Vusi Mahlasela and the Soweto Gospel Choir. The album was inspired by Bono's direct philanthropic impact via the launch of the ONE campaign and (RED), and his poignant outspoken public commentary on the immediate financial needs facing Africa. In The Name Of Love: Africa Celebrates U2 is a revolutionary tribute to one of the world's best-loved bands. Deluxe packaging includes detailed info on the home countries of the artists, and info on nonprofit organizations that are making a difference.

Eric Hofbauer and the Infrared Band

Myth Understanding (2008)

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With his signature blend of intelligence and whimsy, Boston-based guitarist/composer Eric Hofbauer's main working ensemble, The Infrared Band, explores his intermingling interests in wordplay, mythology and puzzles. The active quartet, currently featuring tenor saxophonist Kelly Roberge, bassist Sean Farias and drummer Miki Matsuki, released its debut CD, Myth Understanding (CNM 011) in June 2008, and its follow-up,Level, in expected in early 2011.

Talween: by Walid Zairi, Ken Hiatt and Fabio Pirozzolo (2018)

www.walidzairi.com

album

Walid Zairi, Ken Hiatt and Fabio Pirozzolo release their album Talween. With it came a beautiful new website!

Recorded at Notable Productions this past year. It was a very organic session. The Oud and Accordion were recorded in the same room with older microphones and stereo room mics to get there vibe and image. After espresso the gentlemen sat down in front of on the right side an RCA77 in front -and C414eb in the back of the accordion. Facing him was Walid on Oud mic'ed with a KM84-Tabfunkenwerk47 and a stereo Royer for the room. No headphones and No overdubs except some percussion.

Released on Mello Music Group, Resolution is one of those timeless records. The first full-length from Mr. Lif & Akrobatik (The Perceptionists) in a dozen years reflects the struggles and near-death sagas that struck Mr. Lif and Akrobatik. During that span, Lif miraculously survived his tour bus plummeting over a cliff and bursting into flames. Akrobatik weathered a sudden aortic rupture and emergency open-heart surgery. The impact of those experiences forced the former Def Jux duo to contemplate fate, luck, and their own place within a world spinning out of control.

But their ability to survive has allowed them to thrive. They’ve harnessed a radiant hard-won optimism that refuses to flinch from the evils of existence. From the album’s first track, “Early Mourning,” Akrobatik asserts that courage comes from within, but reflects on the millions of young black men sent to premature graves. He considers whether gang affiliation is inherent in their souls, or more likely, whether things would be different if these neighborhoods were well lit and effectively policed.

If turmoil and inequity currently wrack the globe at record levels, Lif’s verses seem more prophetic than ever. His verses offer searing indictments of corporate and political corruption: corporations oppressing local farms, governmental duplicity in dealing with big pharmaceutical companies, and the crooked brutality of cops who get away with shooting unarmed black men.

On “Hose Down,” the pair brilliantly intersperse news reports from the MLK-led Birmingham protests of 1963 with the internecine problems of the present—where a traffic stop can still lead to a funeral. It’s as poignant of a polemic as you’ll find, but blended with a danceable Caribbean lilt.

With the Perceptionists, the personal is political and vice-versa. Akrobatik rhymes about his “desire to breathe in the sun before my skin dries out” but still refuses to be “the coward in a pretend hide out.” On “Lemme Find Out,” they kick ingeniously sinister dystopian horror raps about our grotesque addiction to technology. There are love songs over beats that sound like they could’ve been on Madvillainy, stories of cypher demolitions of would-be challengers, and dirty ass rhymes over dirty ass drums—as The Perceptionists sagely insist, that’s all the world really wants.

It’s music from deep in the trenches, songs that confront the blitzkrieg of bad news but offer light at the end of the bombardment. If you listen closely, you can intuit a profound story of friendship and camaraderie between Lif and Akrobatik—lifelong friends trading bars with the chemistry of Tip and Phife, Andre and Big Boi, Erick and Parrish. They’re mortal men who made mistakes, gained experience, and obtained wisdom. This is Resolution.

Mark Simos

Songwriting Strategies: A 360 degree approach (2016)

album

UGO Featuring Chris Lee, Ray Duplessis and Josh Cohen

UGO (2016)

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Dan Has been Producing UGO first EP and some singles. There music is extraordinary. Soulful, Intense and melodic. They just funded their Kick Starter campaign in March and will release this EP in summer of 2014. These songs have amazing Rap and Soulful melodies. We had the pleasure of working with a few amazing rhythm section players for these recordings including Prince's Drummer John Blackwell and Marcus Miller's Drummer Louis Cato. Their grooves were nasty, infectious and perfect for some of the cuts.

Lost Puppy

Wash Your Hands Before You Steal My Heart (2016)

album

Debut Album from Lost Puppy. Hailing from Philly and having received a undergrad degree from a prominent Boston music school, This humble singer songwriter embarked on a massive inward journey. His music resonates with influences I was happy to help flesh out as diverse as: Elliott Smith, Queens of the Stone Age, Joy Formidable, Beach Boys, Sylvia Plath, Rilo Kiley and Daniel Johnston. (Dan's Thoughts)

Steve Cherkassky-
"I wanted the record to feel like a living, breathing entity that confides its deepest, darkest secrets to you as if there were no place else to go. Every nuance of the emotional spectrum would be felt, just as if you were staring into the eyes of your closest friend. That's why the order is the way it is. I love psychology. The tracks are ordered in parallel to the Kuhbler-Ross model of grief (D.A.B.D.A). it's a way of relating a piece of art to the human experience."

George Russell Jr.

The 1st Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit (2014)

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This was the First Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit held at the historic 12th Baptist Church of Roxbury Ma.(The church attended by The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was a grad student in Boston) We gathered four of the city's best gospel ministers of music in the Boston area. They performed on either piano or organ some of most well known spiritual / gospel music for this event sponsored by Notable Productions and Produced by Lance Martin & Jonathan Singleton.

Mark Copland

The 1st Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit (2014)

album

This was the First Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit held at the historic 12th Baptist Church of Roxbury Ma.(The church attended by The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was a grad student in Boston) We gathered four of the city's best gospel ministers of music in the Boston area. They performed on either piano or organ some of most well known spiritual / gospel music for this event sponsored by Notable Productions and Produced by Lance Martin & Jonathan Singleton.

Dan, Eric and Chris were on hand from Notable recording the event
Engineer and Co Producer of the event

Yasko Kubota

The 1st Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit (2014)

album

This was the First Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit held at the historic 12th Baptist Church of Roxbury Ma.(The church attended by The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was a grad student in Boston) We gathered four of the city's best gospel ministers of music in the Boston area. They performed on either piano or organ some of most well known spiritual / gospel music for this event sponsored by Notable Productions and Produced by Lance Martin & Jonathan Singleton.

Dennis Montomery III

The 1st Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit (2014)

album

This was the First Ever Holy & Sanctified Piano/Organ Summit held at the historic 12th Baptist Church of Roxbury Ma.(The church attended by The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he was a grad student in Boston) We gathered four of the city's best gospel ministers of music in the Boston area. They performed on either piano or organ some of most well known spiritual / gospel music for this event sponsored by Notable Productions and Produced by Lance Martin & Jonathan Singleton.

Eekwol

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2014)

album

In Eekwol’s world, mothering, music and academics are chaotically coordinated into a delicate balance. As a dedicated new mother, hip hop emcee and graduate student at the University of Saskatchewan, Eekwol astounds her listeners with honest, direct and revolutionary words that come from places both original and groundbreaking. With a lifelong background of Plains Cree Indigenous music, she invites the audience into a space of experimental hip hop unique to her land and place while respecting the origins of hip hop. Eekwol is currently working on her 5th album, which will be released in spring 2012.

Mark Simos

Ship and Harbor (2013)

Song for Sally Taylor's Consenses Project

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My good friend and fellow Berklee professor wrote this beautiful song for Sally Taylor's amazing Consenses Project. I love recording Mark's acoustic guitar parts. They're always musically nuanced and precise. This is a fine example of that. Listen how the doubling is perfect until he artfully highlights parts on the left and right side. On this track he also demonstrates his lovely voice.

Mark Simos is a renowned songwriter, composer and tunesmith, teacher and writer. Over four-plus decades, Mark’s songs and “tunes from imaginary countries” have stretched musical boundaries with innovative melodies and harmonies and intricately crafted lyrics, bringing a contemporary sensibility to “neo-traditionalist” forms. Over one hundred of Mark’s compositions have been recorded by artists, including Alison Krauss and Union Station, Ricky Skaggs, Del McCoury, Laurie Lewis, and Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes. Featured on many recordings as a fiddler and guitar accompanist, he has recorded an acclaimed song-cycle album, Crazy Faith, and four albums of original and traditional fiddle music.Mark is associate professor in the Songwriting Department at Berklee College of Music, where he has created innovative curriculum for songwriting, collaboration, guitar techniques, and tunewriting. Also an active performer and teacher at workshops, camps, festivals, and retreats, Mark has mentored hundreds of songwriters worldwide. He has just published Songwriting Strategies: A 360º Approach (Berklee Press/Hal Leonard 2014).

New Singles in Production (2013)

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Peggy Seeger

Studio Recording at Notable (2013)

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Born in 1935, Peggy's family connections are well-known in folk and classical music circles. She is Pete Seeger's half-sister, Ruth Crawford's daughter; partner of Ewan MacColl, who wrote “First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” for her and to whom she bore three children. Her best-known compositions are “Gonna Be an Engineer” and “The Ballad of Springhill” (the latter rapidly becoming regarded as a traditional song). The MacColl-Seeger work was prodigious in its scope. From 1959 onward, they encouraged and set standards for the burgeoning UK folk revival; they trolled the USA & UK field recordings and anthologies for little-known traditional songs; they trained other singers and involved them in political-musical documentary theatre; they instigated the revolutionary Radio Ballad form. Their work was halted by Ewan's death in 1989. Peggy has made 22 solo recordings and taken part in more than 100 more with other performers. A singer and multi-instrumentalist, she is considered to be one of North America's finest female folksingers.

Moussa Traore

Mali Kan (2013)

Partially recorded in Mali

album

Released in December of 2013, Moussa Traore's much anticipated release includes recorded material from Mali and Bomako as well as many instruments captured here at Notable. The virtuosic drumming and singing keep this album full of energy from start to finish.

Suheir Hammad

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

album

Suheir Hammad(born October 25, 1973) is a Palestinian-American poet, author and political activist. She was born in Amman, Jordan. Her parents were Palestinian refugees who immigrated along with their daughter to Brooklyn, New York City when she was five years old. Her parents later moved to Staten Island

As an adolescent growing up in Brooklyn, Hammad was heavily influenced by Brooklyn's vibrant Hip-Hop scene. She had also absorbed the stories her parents and grandparents had told her of life in their hometown of Lydda, before the 1948 Palestinian exodus, and of the suffering they endured afterward, first in the Gaza Strip and then in Jordan. From these disparate influences Hammad was able to weave into her work a common narrative of dispossession, not only in her capacity as an immigrant, a Palestinian and a Muslim, but as a woman struggling against society's inherent sexism and as a poet in her own right. When hip-hop entrepreneur Russell Simmons came across her piece entitled 'First Writing Since,' a poem describing her reaction to the September 11 attacks, he signed her to a deal with HBO's Def Poetry Jam. She recited original works on tour for the following two years. She is now working on her third publication, which will be a book of prose. She will also be partaking in the Bush Theatre's 2011 project Sixty-Six where she has written a piece based upon a chapter of the King James Bible

The Narcicyst

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

album

Yassin Alsalman, better known by his stage name The Narcicyst (or Narcy), is an Iraqi-Canadian journalist and Hip Hop MC. He currently resides in Montreal, Canada. In 2011 he taught a course at Concordia University, in conjunction with Marc Peters, titled: "Hip Hop: Past, Present, and Future."

Shad

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

album

Born in Kenya, of Rwandan parents, Shad was raised in London, Ontario. His debut album When This Is Over (2005) was self-made, financed with the $17,500 he won from 91.5 The Beat's Rhythm of the Future talent competition during his time as an undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University.The album was recognized for Shad's self-deprecating lyrics, which are atypical of the current rap sceneand focusing on social causes—for example, the track "I'll Never Understand" examines the Rwandan genocide and includes poetry written by his mother, Bernadette Kabango.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

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Native Sun

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

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Native Sun is a London based duo consisting of bilingual rapper Mohammed Yahya, born in Mozambique, South East Africa andsinger-song writer Sarina Leah born in London with Caribbean roots.
Joining forces in 2010 Native Sun was born fusing Hip Hop and African rhythms with the aim of promoting a positive message of Universal Peace, Equality, Social Justice and Environmental Change

live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

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Sweatshop Union

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

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Sweatshop Unionis a Canadian hip hop collective formed in 2000 in Vancouver, when four politically minded rap acts—Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Kyprios and Innocent Bystander —came together to produce their first album, which was published in 2001.

Known for an inventive and socially conscious sound, Sweatshop Union's music focuses on being "honest"—commenting on issues ranging from the war inIraq, the plight of the poor and working-class, to the negativity and misogyny of mainstream hip-hop

The Last Skeptik

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

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Building his first beats in school, Skeptik consistently worked on his skills until releasing a number of 12”s in the days when 12” singles sold, and mp3s were a thing of mythical legend. The first of which, featured ‘Prior To The Present’ featuring Sway, and first alerted the public to his MPC wizardry. An E.P co-starring Conflix followed, with the A Side ‘Think Twice’ demonstrating a different side to a production powerhouse in the making. .. .. In late 2007, Skeptik put together a feature length collaboration with long time friend Verb T. Entitled ‘Broken Window’, the album featured guest appearances from Jehst, Edo G, Kashmere and more, including the radio rinsed ‘March’ featuring Sway and Kyza. The single from the album, ‘Satisfied’, gained constant rotation on Channel U, and plays on major stations including Radio 1 and Kiss FM. The album itself was critically acclaimed and appeared in the Evening Standard, Metro, Q Magazine, RWD among others… .. In 2010, Skeptik released ‘Same Day Different Sh*t’, a compilation of remixes that he had been asked to do from labels, management and artists themselves over the past year. Featuring the likes of Marina and The Diamonds, Daniel Merriweather, The Streets and many more – Skep received accolades from MTV, BBC Radio One, Big Cheese, Huck, DJ and IDJ among many others. 2010 also saw Skeptik co-write The King Blues single ‘Holiday’, co-produce 2 album tracks and lead-single B-Side for Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, and produce official remixes for Marina and The Diamonds ‘Shampain’ and Kate Nash’s ‘Later On’. As a producer, to date, Skeptik has worked with the likes of Get Cape, Wear Cape Fly, Sway, MF Grimm, Jehst, Kyza and Lowkey to name a few. As a DJ, Skeptik has shared stages and performed with such modern luminaries as Damon Albarn, Flea (Red Hot Chill Peppers), Zero 7, Kano, Shlomo, Terri Walker and Tony Allen among many others, and DJ’d as far afield as Japan, America, and the Middle East.

Moon Hooch

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

live recording

“Whoever thought of a band with two saxophones and a drummer? That’s the stupidest idea, right?” Moon Hooch saxophonist Wenzl McGowen asked the crowd at a recent gig. Well, Wenzl, James Muschler (drums) and Mike Wilbur (saxophone) never intended on forming a band together. The three guys graduated from The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music in Manhattan in 2010. Wenzl and Mike shared mutual contempt, each one thinking the other was a cocky sax-o-phony. And while they were both correctly judged each other, they eventually learned tolerance when Wenzl moved in to an apartment with James, next door to Mike.

The three began busking in the subway and in the city’s parks. At the same time, Wenzl was producing House music and writing House for saxophone. When the guys played this music in the subway, people immediately began dancing.

One subway passenger asked, “What’s your band’s name?”

Mike blurted, “Moon Juice.”

A Google search revealed that there were already multiple bands called Moon Juice. With the help of a thesaurus, the name Moon Hooch was selected, and more importantly, the trio now realized that they were, in fact, a band.

Since solidifying as a band, Moon Hooch has quickly gained a reputation for inciting “subway raves” (they were banned from performing at the Bedford Ave stop off the L line in Brooklyn for “starting too many dance parties”), their strange instrumentation and explosive live show. Their frequent presence in New York City subways and parks has brought them notice and fans which has led to appearances as the house band on Australian TV show “Hamish and Andy’s Gap Year,” and a national tour with Mike Doughty (Doughty saw them on a train platform and immediately invited to tour as his supporting act). They are now at the midpoint of a six month residency at Brooklyn’s Knitting Factory, having sold-out all shows to date.

The band has already begun to expand its sound beyond just two saxophones and drums. Wenzl inserts a cardboard tube into his saxophone to create a Dubstep style womp, and switches between a contrabass clarinet and electronic wind instrument. They also have begun experimenting with various vocalists, inviting both singers and rappers on stage with them at shows.

Recorded in just a single day, their debut record, “The Moon Hooch Album,” gives the listener a taste of what’s to come for these guys. They seamlessly blend House, Dubstep, Drum & Bass, and Jazz into style that is uniquely Moon Hooch: Cave Music.

live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

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The Cornel West Theory

live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

album

the Cornel West theory is a Washington, D.C.-based ensemble, proudly born from the hip-hop aesthetic, but not bound by limitations of any genre. It’s an eclectic amalgam of spoken word, lyricism, instruments, electronics and vocals, which draw from genres ranging from home-grown go-go to jazz to rock to hip-hop. This “musical theory” is best understood as an artistic wavelength that hits you aesthetically, emotionally and intellectually.

Zee Santiago

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

2012

album

Zee Santiago is a rising Hip Hop artist and an ambassador of Hip Hop culture. He has already achieved success in the industry opening for stars such as Drake, Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco, Fabolous, Travis Porter, Juelz Santana, Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas, K'naan, & KRS-One. Zee shared the stage with these artists at legendary music venues like the Apollo Theater, SOB's (Sounds of Brazil), New Yorican Poetry Café, Bowery Poetry Club, and Toad's Place. He has also performed at renowned educational institutions such as Yale University, Trinity College, and Tufts University. Over the last eight years, Santiago has received media coverage from the BBC, NPR, The New York Post, The Hartford Advocate, The Chicago Tribune, and URB magazine for his music and contributions to Hip Hop culture

live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2012 (2012)

album

Retro Jazz

Pengbian Sang and Retro Jazz (2012)

Jazzeando el Cancionero Dominicano

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Domincan Berklee Alum and Old Roomate Pengbain Sang brought his newest Tracks from Santo Domingo in early September to Mix. The album is for his new band "Retro Jazz". The group features some of Santo Domingo's best musicians playing fresh arrangements of classic Domincan songs. The vibe ranges from Funky to Latin Jazz to Bebop. "The arrangments are really amazing" remarked Dan. "Mixing this will be a blast".

Thomas Mapfumo and the Blacks Unlimited

Exile (2011)

album

Zee Santiago

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2011)

album

Zee Santiago is a rising Hip Hop artist and an ambassador of Hip Hop culture. He has already achieved success in the industry opening for stars such as Drake, Big Sean, Lupe Fiasco, Fabolous, Travis Porter, Juelz Santana, Skyzoo, Emilio Rojas, K'naan, & KRS-One. Zee shared the stage with these artists at legendary music venues like the Apollo Theater, SOB's (Sounds of Brazil), New Yorican Poetry Café, Bowery Poetry Club, and Toad's Place. He has also performed at renowned educational institutions such as Yale University, Trinity College, and Tufts University. Over the last eight years, Santiago has received media coverage from the BBC, NPR, The New York Post, The Hartford Advocate, The Chicago Tribune, and URB magazine for his music and contributions to Hip Hop culture.

Eric Hofbauer and the Infrared Band

LEVEL (2011)

album

Back in 2008 this band—the only change here being bassist Sean Farias in for Michael Montgomery—produced one of the best albums of that year. In 2011, they've gone and done it again.

Like Thelonious Monk, Herbie Nichols and Andrew Hill, guitarist Eric Hofbauer's music benefits enormously from having the right musicians to bring it to fruition, and in this instance he's blessed. His quartet effortlessly avoids all the well-established tropes; on "La Ligne De Chance," it brings the lack of rhetoric in Hofbauer's music to light, too. Lacking grand gestures as it does, this is a piece which pulses with the extraordinary depth of empathetic interplay that clearly comes quite naturally to these players.

That quality is enhanced by their individuality. Hofbauer avoids the customary modern jazz guitar vocabulary, just like he's always done. His work on "Murder For A Jar Of Red Rum" is that of a man for whom mere technical display smacks of no more than empty gestures, while tenor saxophonist Kelly Roberge embodies the playful spirit which is never far from the heart of the music. This is confirmed by the eerie way in which the piece is resolved, which, while it mirrors the opening passage, still highlights a band with no agenda other than that of making highly distinctive music.

The band goes effortlessly about the task of laying out unaccustomed territory on the lengthy "Surely Some Revelation," the opening passage confounding expectations until repeated listening renders obvious the quartet's highly persuasive logic. This is true even when the music settles into a generic post-bop groove, especially as that breaks down for Hofbauer to turn in an oblique, ear-pricking solo over Miki Matsuki's drums, where the influence of Ed Blackwell is noticeable, albeit obliquely.

With any luck, it won't be another three years for this quartet's next release, although it's entirely up to the individuals concerned as to what happens next. They can, it seems, effortlessly raise the bar with every release, so it'll be worth waiting for no matter how long it takes.

Track Listing: These Two Things; La Ligne De Chance; Castor And Pollux; The Faction; Murder For A Jar Of Red Rum; Surely Some Revelation; Spy Vs. Spy; Ghosts And Giants; Pocket Chops.

Youth and Hip-Hop in the Urban World

album

Luminescence

Love You Mean It (2011)

album

Brandon Patton

How I Allegedly Bit a Man in Gloucestershire (2011)

album

Brandon Patton's newest album, "How I Allegedly Bit a Man in Gloucestershire," features 13 mostly comical songs that capture hilarity of his live shows opening for MC Frontalot. On the album, he exposes dark family secrets (Mixed-Up Modern Family,) sings anthems about sex acts (Munching the Coch and Kethcup and Mayo,) recalls his time temping and looking for love on an alien planet (My Girlfriend Was Kidnapped by Aliens,) contemplates the limits of friendship (Would You Take a Bullet For Me?) and relates stories about traveling the world and getting into mischief (Big in Japan, Private Jet, How I Allegedly Bit a Man in Gloucestershire.)

Zero Plastica

Basta! (2011)

with DJ Nio

album

Zero Plastica is an underground Hip-Hop group from Genoa (Italy), formed by Nio (mc, dj and producer) and Lure (mc). They combine conscious and thought-provoking lyrics with rap, reggae dancehall beats and world music.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2011)

album

The ReMINDers

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2011)

album

They say true love is a beautiful thing. True love that results in hip-hop is a beautiful thing with a great soundtrack. The Reminders have been making music for a while now, both individually and together. The sound is best described as "soulful" awareness and positivity influence their lyrics, with a focus on harmonizing and bringing a message. After a two year break to raise their children, they are back with a powerful debut record "ReCollect" that will gain them a solid position in the music world.

Amkoullel

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2011)

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Amkoullel was young when he discovered rap and in 1993 he organized his first rap concert before expanding his collaborations and creating the group Kouma Guerya – "guerilla of words". His first album, Infaculté, was released in 2002 and was loaded with texts against ignorance. In 2003, his second album, Surafin, meaning 'bribe', was released. But it was Waati Sera I (It's Time !), self-produced under the label Woklo Barka Prod in 2007 that proved to be a militant opus against Africans' disdainful self-image. Amkoullel creates musical collages from traditional African instruments, jazz and rock, arousing the attention of even the most refined audience. ..Amkoullel has performed with icons such as Cheikh Tidiane Seck and appeared twice at the Nice Jazz Festival alongside Manu Dibango, Keziah Jones, Rokia Traoré and has presented alongside Alpha Blondy, Lobi Traoré and Tiken Jah Fakoly.

Omar Offendum

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2011)

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OMAR OFFENDUM is a Syrian-American MC/Producer - born in Saudi Arabia, raised in Washington DC, and living in Los Angeles. He started his musical career off as 1/2 of The N.O.M.A.D.S., co-produced the critically-acclaimed "FREE-THE-P" Mixtape, participated in "The Arab Summit" project, co-authored the "Brooklyn Beats 2 Beirut Streets" performance-lecture, & was featured on several major news outlets (BBC/ Yahoo/ ABC News/ Aljazeera/ Reuters/ Gulf News). He has helped raise thousands of dollars for various humanitarian relief organizations (PCRF/ Islamic Relief/ ANERA/ Kinder) & toured the world to perform his ground-breaking music. Offendum is currently hard at work promoting his debut solo release - affectionately dubbed "SyrianamericanA"

Jean Grae

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2011)

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Jean Grae (born Tsidi Ibrahim, November 26, 1976), formerly known as What? What?, is an American hip-hop artist who hails from South Africa. She rose to prominence in the underground hip-hop scene in New York City, and has since built an international fanbase.

Profetas

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2011 (2011)

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Since 1997, Profetas has become one of the essential groups to understand the new urban music in Latin America. The fusion of Afro-Colombian music, reggae, rock and a strong basis of hip hop has helped the band to get a good number of followers in Latin America and some European countries such as Germany and Austria. The duo composed of the African singer Antombo Langangui and the Colombian MC Pablo Fortaleza, has received outstanding comments by music critics

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

2010

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Lamine Toure and Group Saloum (Senegal)

Cosaan (2010)

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Legendary Senegalese drummer Lamine Toure and is band Group Saloum bring Senegalese Mbalax to the rest of the world with there first international release in colaboration with Notable and Nomadicwax records.

Some Comments from Radio stations around the world:

Açik Radyo - Istanbul / Turquie
"Very exciting and fresh melodies. I have been fortunate enough to be able to get this track thanks to Francophonie.. It's a gem."

Afrodicia - Los Angeles
"Good track by Senegalese sabar group. it works with our radio show to set up our interviews and event calendar."

Radio Universidad - Puerto rico
"The organic sound of instrumentation with the continuo bass creates a mystical enviroment for this powerful african song. it has it all, meditational, funky and danceable."

WEFT 90.1 FM - Champaign / Illinois
"Oooh, the Bostonians strike again! Once again, the group aroud Lamine Touré bring us a savory mix of reggae, funk, percussion and west African melodiousness... invigorating in its variety and at the same time soothing in its harmony."

Wageble (Senegal)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Wagëblë’s name connotes the communal meeting place for the people to discuss the issues that affect their lives; the group’s philosophy originates from the name’s associated acronym, Wax Aduna Gëddu Ëttu Baatin Lemu Ëlëk, which essentially means that Wagëblë feels that their calling is to speak truth to the world about the essential spiritual knowledge of life in order to ensure a positive future.

Atlas Soul (France)

Live at the 1st African Festival of Boston 2010 (2010)

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Atlas Soul is an award-winning band based in Boston performing original music that celebrates and bridge Afro-Mediterranean melodies & grooves with Jazz and Funk thus naturally creating new powerful genres of music one could describe as Maghrebien-Funk, Rock’n Raï and/or Shaabi-Jazz.

About The African Festival

Founded in 2010, Boston first African Festival is organized by Shalupe Foundation, a 501 c 3 non-profit based in Boston, Ma. and aims to build strong community in Massachusetts and in Africa. The missing of the festival is to promote African culture in New England and educat ethe public about African culture and heritage

Mamadou Diop (Senegal)

Live at the 1st African Festival of Boston 2010 (2010)

album

About The African FestivalFounded in 2010, Boston first African Festival is organized by Shalupe Foundation, a 501 c 3 non-profit based in Boston, Ma. and aims to build strong community in Massachusetts and in Africa. The missing of the festival is to promote African culture in New England and educat ethe public about African culture and heritage.

About Mamadou Diop

World Beat travels from West Africa around the globe to the United States, meeting in Boston, MA for an eclectic blend of exotic rhythms and powerful percussion jams that will set your feet and spirit dancing! Weaving together diverse musical traditions with the powerful rhythms of West Africa, the unique and high energy music of MAMADOU sets feet and spirits dancing. The band performs original music based on authentic African rhythms and arrangements, composed by Mamadou Diop of Dakar, Sénégal, who takes these fundamental African rhythms and layers them throughout his music.

At the heart of MAMADOU's music is the drum. Powerful are the rhythms of Sénégal, making a connection with the soul of each listener. Each musician is given command of separate, offset rhythms, making this music among the most danceable around. Sung in Wolof (Mamadou Diop's native language), French, and English, the songs speak of the importance of love, friendship, and spirit; all in a manner that transcends language and cultural barriers. MAMADOU has been enthusiastically received by club and festival audiences who welcome the opportunity to experience their joyful combination of musical genres.

Live at the 1st African Festival of Boston 2010 (2010)

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U-Meleni

Live at the 1st African Festival of Boston 2010 (2010)

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U-MELENI is a multi-talented Zimbabwean Artist born in America, raised in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa. She is an Actress, Activist-Educator and Performance Poet, Singer/Songwriter/Musician, who has been performing in Boston since 1996.She is also a model, self-taught guitarist, amateur photographer,

U-Meleni holds a Masters in Education with a concentration in Drama and Multicultural Learning, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Social Psychology from Lesley University and the University of Massachusetts respectively. Since picking up the microphone in College in the US, she has graced many stages with her powerful performances, soothing voice and profound lyrics. U-Meleni has been a featured poet/songstress in universities, clubs, venues and conferences from Harvard University to Wally’s Jazz café, WERS 88.9FM and HOT 97.7FtM to the Boston Opera House. She has written and produced her debut CD of poetry & music (in English and Shona) entitled “Soul Psalms, Birth, Death, and Resurrection”( 2003). “Talk about atoms in a cyclotron. We became a magnetic field taking in her images…." Kay Bourne, Bay state Banner. The CD has been used as a teaching tool in schools, health departments and most recently the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.( 2006) Internationally, she has performed in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Portugal and Jamaica. She was an honored writer for her poem” Feelings are only temporary” featured in the University of Maine The Binnacle Literary Arts Magazine in the fall of 2005. In March 2006, her song/poem” Love is Not Supposed to Hurt” won the Inaugural Spoken Word Competition on American Idol Undergound.com and has been in rotation being among the top 50 Spoken word tracks.In 2007 She played one of the lead roles in Ya Ma.Afrika, TV series about 4 african women living in NYC aired internationally to awesome reviews.

Jamemurrel Stanley

Live at the 1st African Festival of Boston 2010 (2010)

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About The African FestivalFounded in 2010, Boston first African Festival is organized by Shalupe Foundation, a 501 c 3 non-profit based in Boston, Ma. and aims to build strong community in Massachusetts and in Africa. The missing of the festival is to promote African culture in New England and educat ethe public about African culture and heritage.

About Jamemurrell StanleyBefore Jamemurrell was able to walk or talk, he would lay on his back singing and mumbling the rhythms that he heard while at drum and dance class. This was only the beginning. At the age of 14 Jamemurrell traveled to Senegal West Africa to expand his knowledge of African culture and music. Jamemurrell began studying intensely under Jah Amen And Leon Mobley, Direct students of Nigerian master drummer Babatunde Olatunji and also under the directorship of Senegalese master drummer Ibraham Camara (former drummer for the National Ballet of Senegal). All this time Jamemurrell was Building a reputation for himself and his music on the Boston music scene.

In 1999 Jamemurrell was accepted to attend Boston Arts Academy, where he transformed himself through artistic and academic rigor for the next 4 years. Graduating in 2003 Jamemurrell traveled back to Senegal, this time for 6 months. He ventured deep into the countryside to accompany Caro Diallo and The Black Sofa Dance Company in the Cassamace region of Senegal. Like his mentor Olatunji, (who played for many years with Santana and other popular artists of the day), Jamemurrell has succeeded in bringing African drumming into contemporary mainstream music and has performed and recorded with many major artists in all genres as well as touring in Europe, the Caribbean and all over the United States.

Jamemurrell has worked with Boston based groups Silmbo’ Aden with Fatou Ndiaye, Group Mande under the direction of Mohammed “Joh” Camara, Art of Black Dance and Music, Unity African Dance and Theater company with his mother Akila Stanley as well with his uncle Leon Mobley and Da lion of L.A. California. His band credits include, Charlie Brown Blues band. (Berklee’s African/pop, Jazz, and pop/R&B ensembles), Troupe Saloum, Jama Jigi, Samba Lolo, Mafanti, And Mass. Production. In 2010 Jamemurrell formed his own percussion ensemble Drummers Of Peace And Equality

Narcy (Iraq)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2010)

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Having lived in Canada and the UAE, Narcy found a bridge in his leapfrom a Middle Eastern teenager to a Westernized adult through hisculture-away from home: Hip Hop. With searing lyrical content andrelentless Kalashnikov delivery, Narcy became one of the foundingmembers of conscious Arab Hip Hop, having established undergroundheroes Euphrates with his best friends and producers Nofy Fannan andHabillis. ‘The Letter’ was their first production, a hair-raisinganthem for Iraqis written in the form of a letter to the US governmentthat quickly spread across the World Wide Web and to stereos acrossthe globe. The track would set the tone for Euphrates’ distinctivesound and subject matter: Imagine Oum Kulthum, Public Enemy and EdwardSaid stuck in a sound studio.In 2001, the group’s first independent release came as humanity wasfacing the coming of the New World Order. Euphrates released A Bend inthe River as the voice of young Arabs in the West seekingunderstanding of their experience through immigration, decolonizationand reintegration into Western life and media. The album representedthe rage and resentment in the hearts of many at the state of theMiddle East as well as the confusion and dichotomizing relationshipbetween 2 clashing cultures in one person. The album received acclaimall over Canada and thanks to the internet, across the underground HipHop globe. The album was a precursor to their highly anticipatedsecond release in 2004: Stereotypes Incorporated. Over the years,Narcy has shared stages solo and with Euphrates opening for the likesof Talib Kweli, Kanye West, Non-Phixion, Madlib, A-Trak and DJ Vadimto name a few. The Narcicyst is currently recording a triple LPtentatively titled The Illuminarcy Trilogy whilst writing a Mastersthesis on Hip Hop and Identity in Montreal, Canada.www.iraqisthebomb.com / www.narcy.net

Gabriel Teodros

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Gabriel Teodros is the everyday journeyman with more stories to tellthan most people twice his age. Having seen both city and countrysidethrough the eyes of a broke-ass rapper and immigrant child, Teodrosspins observations and wordplay into internationalism on wax. Linkingfirst and third world people’s struggles, he is sincere when he says”we in this together son, your beef is mine.”From ciphers at Westlake to spending months in Vancouver and Brooklyn,Gabriel’s story is one of trial, tribulation and a search forredemption. The contrast of his onstage ferocity with his offstagehumility reveals a multifaceted spirit who understands that thepolitical is personal. Whether addressing political repression andresistance in East Africa or reflecting on the effects of patriarchyin his relationships, Teodros captures each moment soulfully with hisunmistakably (north)west coast delivery.Teodros has left a mark in the underground NW hiphop scene as one halfof the duo Abyssinian Creole (with emcee Khingz Makoma), and since thelate 90’s has been seen rocking microphones from classrooms totheatres, clubs, protests, prisons to street corners alongside thelikes of Zap Mama, Fishbone, KRS-One, The Coup, Souls Of Mischief,Digable Planets, Aceyalone & Abstract Rude, GZA/Genius and ImmortalTechnique to name a few. Even before dropping his upcoming solomasterpiece, Lovework, in early 2007 on Mass Line, Teodros has alreadygot love from a community who eagerly anticipate his next story totell.

Eternia (Canada)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2010)

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Juno-nominated and widely considered one of Canada’s foremostlyricists, Eternia continues to carry the torch for those Hip Hopaficionados who crave… s’More. Fresh off the release of hercritcally-acclaimed debut-album “It’s Called Life” (Urbnet Records2005), Eternia has been keeping busy touring Europe, U.S.A.., andCanada, while quietly recording an arsenal of new material withproducers such as Arythmetic, Apathy (Demigodz), DJ 3D & Ant B.”Homebase” ft. Nick Fury & Freestyle (Arsonists) is a fresh indicatorof what is to come; but if her past accomplishments are any indicationof future successes, it is safe to say This is Only the Beginning forthis hard-hitting lyricist.

La Bruja (Puerto Rico)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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OVERVIEW Whether singing on Telemundo, performing on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, orappearing in History Channel docudramas, modern day renaissance womanLa Bruja refuses to be put in a box. Her unique creativity andcharisma has taken her from appearances in a Spike Lee film to runningwriting workshops for inner-city youth and even modeling for Levis inGlamour and Marie Claire.Now, with her debut album “Brujalicious”, this dynamic, gifted performer infuses hip-hop and reggaeton with her irresistible blend ofpotent intelligence, hot sensuality and lyrical skill.La Bruja has long been regarded as one of the leading American spokenword poets. With the release of “Brujalicious” she joins the ranks ofartists such as Mos Def who infuse music with the power of word.POETSince her auspicious spoken-word debut at the famed Nuyorican Poet’sCafe in 1996, Caridad De La Luz, aka La Bruja, has appeared on HBO’s”Russell Simmons Def Poetry Jam” and performed internationally atdozens of respected venues, including Joe’s Pub at The Joseph PappPublic Theater, The Nuyorican Cafe in Puerto Rico, SOBs, The AmericanMuseum of Natural History, and at Miramax’s “Celebration of MiguelPinero”.WRITERLa Bruja is the author of the highly successful one-woman comedy show”Boogie Rican Blvd.”, which sold out its eight-week run at La TeaTheater and has been produced at The Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe. The show’sprevious sponsors include Red Bull, Urban Latino Media, Cafe Bustelo,and Hot 97. She wrote for mun2’s animated comedy series “LugarHeights”, and is currently working on “Famers”, a full lengthscreenplay that tells the poignant story of love, aspirations, andloss behind the creation of a graffiti memorial wall.ACTORLa Bruja’s numerous acting credits span television, theater, and film.Her TV credits include appearances on HBO Latino, The History Channel,public service spots for AmericansForTheArts.Org, and Spike Lee’scommercials for IAM.com, She is the voice of Roxy in mun2’s animatedcomedy “Lugar Heights”. La Bruja made her major motion picture debutin 2000 as Cuca in Spike Lee’s “Bamboozled”, and gave a scene stealingperformance as Lucy Negron in the 2004 Sundance-winning feature “DownTo The Bone”. A seasoned stage actor, La Bruja has performed at theHip Hop Theater Festival, toured Poland and NYC as a cast member ofthe musical “Ubu Enchained”, and appeared in Pedro Pietri’s “ElSpanglish Language Sandwich”. She has received raves around the worldfor her performance in her original one-woman musical comedy show”Boogie Rican Blvd” and most recently in the Spanish Language ComedyFilm “El Vacilon – The Movie” based on New York City’s Top Rated FMRadio Morning Show on La Mega-FM.HIP HOP / REGGAETON ARTISTLa Bruja has recorded with Fat Joe, Vivian Green, Jadakiss, DonDinero, The Jungle Brothers, Black Ice, B-Real, Tony Touch, AfrikaaBambaata, Chingo Bling, Hurricane G, Boy Wonder and The X-ecutioners.La Bruja has just released her debut album “Brujalicious” on De La LuzRecords.ACTIVISTA dedicated artist-activist, La Bruja frequently performs at schools,universities, hospitals, and community centers around the country. Shehelped raise funds for “Stop The Bombs”, part of a successful campaignto close the controversial US Navy Base on Vieques Island, andrecorded music for the “No More Prisons” album, which promotesawareness of the negative impact of militarism on today’s urban youth.La Bruja has been a longtime activist and participant in the fightagainst AIDS and in the promotion of education and awareness about thedisease. Creator of the “How Can I Change The World?” writing workshopfor The East Harlem Tutorial Program, she now leads workshops atschools and community development centers nationwide. In encouragingthousands to claim the benefits of art, culture, and self-expression,La Bruja continues to support positive change for the hip-hopgeneration.

Lamine Toure and Group Saloum (Senegal)

Live at Mass MOCA 2010 (2010)

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Awesome Show and Awesome Venue. They played our film Democracy in Dakar on the biggest out door screen I'd ever seen and pumped the soundtrack through the PA system. Now thats the way to see a hip- hop movie. Then Group Saloum took over and had the audience on their feet the rest of the night! Benny was the MC and ran a great show. Waterflow from Wagable and Mamadou from Gokh-Bi System were in the house flowing over the bands grooves and some of there own tracks. Of course the Master Drummer Lamine Toure and his Band were on Fire all night.

Mamadou from Gokh-Bi System (Senegal)

Live at Mass MOCA 2010 (2010)

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Bennchoumy (Haiti)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Bennchoumy was raised in the ghetto of Kafou, by the shore of the hot Atlantic Ocean. As a natural leader, he formed the hip hop gospel group “The Shepherdz” with two other comrades in 1999, quickly garnering local fame as a new sound emerged through every Haitian speaker box. The Ching Cheeng King has performed with many stars from his community including Wyclef Jean, Zin, Manze Dayila and Pras, just to name a few. Bennchoumy is every record label’s dream -or perhaps nightmare- depending on their tolerance for true creativity. With a new mix-tape causing havoc on the internet, and Upside Down Crucifixion soon to be released on his own independent label, Ching Cheeng Records, the King is ready to feed hip hop heads food for thought in a new lyrical Canaan.

C.H.I.N.G. – Composition of Highly Intellectual Noble Gentlemen C.H.E.E.N.G – Coming out of Haiti Entering Every Nation on the Globe"

Baba Israel

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

2010

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Baruch “Baba” Israel is a hip hop and spoken word artist who has toured across the USA, Europe, Japan, New Zealand and Australia. He has released a full length album called Mind Music on Velour Records and the album Force of Life, released as a single in the US, Japan, and Europe by Bay Area label Wide Hive and as a full length in Australia to critical acclaim.

The Reminders

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2010)

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"They say true love is a beautiful thing. True love that results in hip-hop is a beautiful thing with a great soundtrack. The Reminders have been making music for a while now, both individually and together. In 2005, Big Samir began performing with Aja Black around the midwest, sharing similar views on life, music and religion, they decided to come together and work on a concept entitled The ReMINDers. The sound is best described as ""soulful"" awareness and positivity influence their lyrics, with a focus on harmonizing and bringing a message. After a two year break to raise their children, they are back with a powerful debut record ""ReCollect"" that will gain them a solid position in the music world.

Aja Black, born in Hollis Queens (New York), 25, sings and raps on the record while Big Samir, born in Brussels (Belgium), 27, occasionally flips back and forth from French to English with a dope bilingual flow."

DJ Boo

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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DJ Boo is a Fil-Am DJ based in NY who has rocked all over the great city. And whether he is throwing down the best in Hip-hop, Reggae and classics in NYC, or laying down instrumentals for local MC’s at "Words" at The Nuyorican Poet’s Café it can be seen that DJ Boo is steadily becoming a recognizable name in this ever growing Hip-hop scene. His skills as a DJ has given him the honor of opening up for the likes of Kool G. Rap, Wu Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, Talib Kweli and the Beat Junkies’ own DJ Shortkut. His talents are not just limited to rocking parties, for his name can also be seen alongside underground hip-hop artists like Adagio, Super Natural, ApSci (Applied Science), Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest fame, and Southern California based electro-funk artist, Uberzone. He is currently working with The Juggaknots, Koba, The Misnomers and Nomadic Wax’s Global Underground All-Stars. DJ Boo has been the resident DJ for the Trinity International Hip-Hop festival for the past three years.

Toni Blackman

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

album

Toni Blackman is a poet, rap lyricist and actress. She was the first Hip Hop artist selected to work as a Cultural Ambassador traveling with the US Department of State. Toni has traveled throughout Africa, Europe, and Southeast Asia, often working in some of the world’s most war-torn nation states to help bring reconciliation and rehabilitation to those regions. She is the founder of Freestyle Union, a cipher workshop that uses freestyling as a tool to encourage social responsibility, Lyrical Embassy, a company which she runs, stands for Freestyle Union and for Rhyme Like A Girl (RLAG) – which is an initiative for girls and women. A former Echoing Green Fellow and Soros Fellow, her work promotes diplomacy and self-expression through the use of cutting-edge personal development technique. Recognized as a pioneer in Hip Hop theater and education, this award-winning artist has shared the stage with everyone from Erykah Badu, the Roots, Wu Tang, Sonia Sanchez, Mos Def, KRS One, Sara McLachlan and Rickie Lee Jones. Her book Inner-Course (Villard/Random House), which was released in 2003, appears in the award-winning anthology Live Through This (Seven Stories Press, 2008), her memoir, “Travels of a Lyrical Ambassador”, will be released on The Feminist Press late 2010 and she is a contributor to Jay Z: The Artist, The Man, The Visionary. In 2009 she was featured in VH1’s Future of Black History ad campaign, in the Smithsonian Folklife Festival and was presented by 651 Arts. Additionally, she is producing an RLAG project with teen girls from Liberia, Sudan, Haiti and the U.S. during her artist residency with Jefferson Arts Center in Virginia, and also completing related projects for the Travels of a Lyrical Ambassador brand. Toni, whose Rhyme Like A Girl collective recently shot a commercial for BET’s Black History Month ad campaign, and is working on a project with grammy-award winning producer/engineer Commissioner Gordon.

Zee Santiago

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Zee Santiago has opened for Hip Hop superstars such as Drake, Lupe Fiasco, Fabolous, Juelz Santana, Dj Unk, Mike Jones, K’naan, Common, & KRS-One. In doing so he has graced the stage at a number of legendary music venues & colleges, including the famous Apollo Theater, SOB’s (Sounds of Brazil), New Yorican Poetry Café, Bowery Poetry Club, Toad’s Place (New Haven), Yale University, Wesleyan University, Trinity College, & Southern Connecticut State University. Outside of writing and performing, Zee is a grassroots organizer, and an established Hip Hop academic. In the fall Fall of 2006, he founded the first college chapter of KRS-ONE’s organization Temple of Hip Hop, and since 2006. he has produced the Annual Trinity International Hip Hop Festival, which has become the foremost world hip-hop festival in the United States. He has worked with Hip Hop luminaries such as Jeff Chang (author of Can’t Stop Wont Stop), Charlie Ahern (Director of Wildstyle), Byron Hurt (Director of Hip Hop Beyond Beats & Rhymes) and pioneers like Grandmaster Caz, Tony Tone of The Cold Crush Brothers, DJ Disco Wiz, Fab 5 Freddy and Pop Master Fable of Rock Steady Crew. Within the last four years, Santiago has received coverage from the BBC, NPR, The New York Post, The Hartford Advocate, The Chicago Tribune, XXL and URB magazine.

The Reminders

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

album

They say true love is a beautiful thing. True love that results in hip-hop is a beautiful thing with a great soundtrack. The Reminders have been making music for a while now, both individually and together. In 2005, Big Samir began performing with Aja Black around the midwest, sharing similar views on life, music and religion, they decided to come together and work on a concept entitled The ReMINDers. The sound is best described as “soulful” awareness and positivity influence their lyrics, with a focus on harmonizing and bringing a message. After a two year break to raise their children, they are back with a powerful debut record “ReCollect” that will gain them a solid position in the music world. Aja Black, born in Hollis Queens (New York) Raise overseas, 27, sings and raps on the record while Big Samir, born in Brussels (Belgium) raised in Zaire, 28, occasionally flips back and forth from French to English with a dope bilingual flow. The Couple-Duo is very busy promoting positive vibes and great music for people of all ages in the world to enjoy. For the past couple of years, they have acquired much success by sharing stages with such artists as Fishbone, DeLaSoul, KRS-One, Dead Prez, Immortal Technique, Little Brother, Pharcyde, Talib Kweli, Mos Def, K’naan and have also hit the road with Blackalicious and OneBeLo.

SieteNueve (Puerto Rico)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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SieteNueve’s music brings a wide variety of sentiments baptized with the classic sound of Hip-Hop’s golden era. His lyrical content and its commitment to social change distinguishes SieteNueve from other rappers on the island, making him one of the pioneers of independent music in Puerto Rico. He has been characterized as a counter-point to reggaeton in Puerto Rico by “The Source” magazine in March 2003, triggering a national controversy and provoking a new dialogue on urban music on the island. His first album “EL PROGRESO” is classified as a classic of hip-hop throughout the Spanish-speaking world. His sophomore album “TRABUCO” was also celebrated by Spain’s Hip-Hop Nation magazine as one of the best Spanish-language Hip-Hop albums of all time. He has collaborated with various internationally renowned artists, including: William Cepeda, Andy Montañez, Charlie Sepulveda, David Sanchez, Jerry Medina, Oscar Cartaya, Godfader, Vico C, Gombajabari, Intifada, Velcro, Randy Acosta (Cuba), Grupo Obsesion (Cuba) Boca Floja (Mexico), Chrysalis, Culture Prophecies, Jim B. (Canary Islands, Spain) among others.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Flex Matthews

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Flex Mathews has been a rising star in the Mid Atlantic regional Hip Hop scene for much of the last 7 years. He was named one of URB Magazine’s Next 100 Artists in 2005, and his transition from the local DC underground to national recognition has been the product of his dedication, quality live show performance, as well as his numerous victories in MC battles. On top of that Mr. Mathews has been voted best rap artist of 2009 in Washington DC area. Flex Mathews has toured and performed with Lupe Fiasco, Army of Me, Atmosphere, KRS-One, Big Daddy Kane, Gang Starr, Camp Lo, Biz Markie, Das EFX, The Wu-Tang Clan, Special Ed, Non-Phixion, The Beatnuts, RA The Rugged Man, J-Live, Tame-One, Asharu and Blue Black, Kev Brown, Oddisee, Master Ace, MC Chris, The Clipse, Roc Radia, Glue, Hangar 18, Pete Rock, Talib Kweli, Percee P, Mad Skillz, Slick Rick, Killah Priest, The Roots, The Lords of Brooklyn, Yazarah, Breez Evaflowin, Poison Pen, Immortal Technique, Bahamadia, Copy Write, Icon The Mic King, C-Rays Wallz, Mr.Lif Cannibal Ox, and Vanilla Ice. In 2005 Flex Mathews was the take was part of the entertainment portion Take Back America Campaign warming the stage for such great like Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Kerry, and more. Flex Mathews is a 2x Guerrilla Grammar Battle Champion, and 3x Tru Skool Rip The Mic Battle Champion, 2x Kool Cigarettes Battle Champion (That he now regrets), and a 8x H.E.R Battle Champion to name a few. He has also made appearances on the 2004 and 2005 Vans Warped Tour on the Code of the Cuts Stage. A familiar face in the local scene – Flex has come to represent a new generation of the DC Underground. Flex Mathews is gearing up for his first solo LP release titled He Was Like That When I Got Here on the label Man Bites Dog records.

DJ Nio (Italy)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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DJ Nio is a producer, DJ, emcee and activist from Genoa, Italy. Since being inspired by early 90s American hip hop, he has committed to bringing cultural awareness to Italian ears. A steady working DJ throughout Italy in the 90s, Nio founded group Zero Plastica in 2001. In 2006, he founded Triburbana, a non-profit cultural organization in which hip hop and reggae artists sponsor workshops and events to spread positive values. His mixtapes are known worldwide for his blending of international hip hop and reggae sounds.

The Jewel Tones

Debate Club (2010)

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DAM (Palestine)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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"Da Arabian MC's Suhell Nafar, Tamer Nafar, Mahmoud Jreri DAM is the first and leading Palestinian Rap Group. It is composed of Tamer Nafar, 27, his younger brother Suhell, 23, and Mahmoud Jreri, 24. The group has been performing together since the late 90s. Tamer, who had been performing Rap since 1998 with his brother, was first contacted by Mahmoud Jreri. Mahmoud was writing his own lyrics so they quickly decided to join forces and the group was born in 1999. All three members of the group were born and grew up in the slums of Lod, a mixed town of Arabs and Jews, 20 km from Jerusalem.

DAM's music is a unique fusion of East and West, combining Arabic percussion rhythms, Middle Eastern melodies and urban Hip Hop/Rap

The lyrics of DAM are influenced by the continuing Israeli - Palestinian conflict as well as by the Palestinian struggle for freedom and equality. DAM also draw their influence from such controversial issues as terrorism, drugs and womens rights."

Toni Blackman

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Toni is an international champion of hip-hop culture, known for the irresistible, contagious energy of her performances and for her alluring female presence. She’s all heart, all rhythm, all song, all power, a one-woman revolution of poetry and microphone. An award-winning artist, her steadfast work and commitment to hip-hop led the U.S. Department of State to select her to work as the first ever hip-hop artist to work as an American Cultural Specialist. She has already served in Senegal, Ghana, Botswana, and Swaziland where her residencies include performance, workshops, and lectures on hip hop music and culture. She recently toured Southeast Asia with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s Musical Ambassador program and has shared the stage with the likes of Erykah Badu, Mos Def, The Roots, Wu Tang Clan, GURU, Bahamadia, Boot Camp Clic, Me’Shell NdegeoCello, Sarah McLachlan, Sheryl Crow, Jill Sobule and even Rickie Lee Jones.

KG (Kenya)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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The re-birth of the East African Urban music arena, help set pace forK-G’s future. Music filled with percussion, accapella and acousticblends, elements found in K-G’s own style, coupled with theContemporary/Afro-urban mix…A global inspiration from Papa Wemba, Lucky Dube, Bob Marley, Seal,Wyclef Jean and later on the Dave Matthews Band.With an Afro-urban heritage in the United States, K-G brings to theforefront a genuine inclination to positive vibrations.The Story is not only for K-G, but also a beacon of hope speaking outto East Africa’s urban destitute youth engulfed in crime and poverty .A break-through beyond their plight to make a living out of music in athird world region where jobs are limited. Another way to make anhonest living.”I want to be an advocate and an ambassador that relays a message ofhope, courage and endearment through music.” For more info contact K-G at:info@swahilientertainment.comNomadic Global Hip-Hop Allstarswww.nomadicwax.comThe NOMADIC GLOBAL HIP-HOP ALLSTARS are the world’s premier GLOBALHIP-HOP group featuring MCs from Africa, South America, Asia, TheMiddle East and the Caribbean. The band also features members ofgroups such as Antibalas, Basement Bhangra, The Jugganots, Dub is aWeapon and Subatomic Sound

Wagëblë (Senegal)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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Wagëblë was created in 1997 in Thiraroye, one of the most unfavorable suburbs in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The rappers Eyewitness, Waterflow and Begun met at various battles in Dakar and quickly understood that they had the same point of view on music, life and the problems Senegal was facing. The group managed to record one track for a Senegalese compilation before Begun left the group in 2002 to persue a high school education in the United States.

ReadNex Poetry Squad

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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In the midst of social disparity and issues that continue to permeate the culture, the ReadNex Poetry Squad have issued open invitations to all to step outside the prescribed lifestyle matrix and embark on a journey toward progress and greater consciousness with a focus on youth. This unwavering desire to facilitate social change has culminated in their metamorphic rebirth embodied in their new album, Day Before Sound, set for release in early 2010. Embracing the eternal tradition of conveying knowledge orally, audiences nationally and around the globe have been captivated and moved by the anti–apathetic stance of the group comprised of four spoken word poets/emcees and one D.J. Through the art of writing and the power of music, esteemed lyrical scholars Decora, FreeFlowin, Jarabe Del Sol, Latin Translator and DJ H20 continue to uplift urban communities with their universal message and sound influenced by Hip-Hop, Soul, Latin and Caribbean music. As artists, educators and activists, they seek to alleviate ignorance by tackling various issues including but certainly not limited to race, gender, politics, history, social injustice, gentrification, poverty and segregation. Amid increasingly condensed communities that continue to be systematically divided, imagine a time and place where unity exists among all peoples–regardless of political views, gender, religion, sexual orientation, skin color, hair texture, ethnicity and organic composition. This is the destination of “The Day Before Sound.”

African Underground All-Stars

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

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The African Underground All-Stars include hip hop performers from all around the world that collaborate with Nomadic Wax on tracks and in shows. The depth of this well of performers is astounding, and their countries of origin span the globe. The MCs are supported by a cast of musicians who are equally international. Artists include but are not limited to Chosan, Optimus, and Iyeoka.

Mariami

Mariami (2010)

album

First major release by talented artist Mariami. On this soon to be release CD, Notable was very happy to collaborate with ex-notable intern, flutist and fellow Berklee graduate Daniel Riera. His tracks were lovely to work on. Also providing production tracks was Daniel's awesome trumpet playing buddy Max Miller-Loran. All the songs that Mariami wrote and the boys produced were unique in vision, style and sound. The songs were a blast to mix and tracking Mariami vocals was easy too. She's an artist who knows what she wants. Cousin Benny did the sexy cover art.

Anita Tijoux (France/Chile)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

album

Born Anamaría Tijoux in Lille, France in 1977, Anita is the daughter of a French mother and Chilean father who was in political exile during Pinochet’s dictatorship. She became famous in Latin America as the female MC of the late 90s hip hop group Makiza, a group that received wide approval from audiences not associated in just hip hop culture due to their evolved production and lyrics. Anita decided to take a sabbatical from music and went back to be with her family in France. But she couldn’t stay away long, and in 2005 was back in Chile with her old group releasing their third critically acclaimed album, Casino Royale, after which she soon began working on a solo album as well as collaborating with groups from all over the globe such as Control Machete, Bajofondo Tango Club, and Funk Como Le Gusta. In 2006 she crossed over to the Latin mainstream pop due to her collaboration with Mexican songstress Julieta Venegas in the radio hit “Eres para mí”, while at the same time releasing her first solo album, Kaos. She was nominated to the 2007 MTV Latin awards for Best New Artist and Best Urban Artist, as well as for her duet with Julieta. Her latest work, 1977, will be her first album released in the US, this April on Nacional Records.

Various Artists

Democracy In Burundi MixTape (2010)

album

Named one of Time Magazine's 100 most influential people, Alexis Sinduhije has turned away from his career in journalism and begun the long journey down the electoral road as a candidate for the upcoming Presidential elections in Burundi. His career and life have been defined by his commitment to fairness and equality and conflict resolution, all within the realm of ethnic conflict and vast political instability in the Rwanda/Burundi region of Africa. His political campaign is focused around Burundian youth their futures. Alexis' Political Party, 'the Movement for Solidarity and Democracy' (MSD), has teamed up with International Hip Hop Label Nomadic Wax to release a hip hop music compilation focused on youth and equality in Burundi. The compilation features hip hop artists from Senegal, to Morocco, to Angola, to the United States, and more. It is an example of how youth can organize through music and bring about change in their own respective communities.

Thaddeus Hogarth

Jimi Hendrix 40th Anniversary Tribute Concert (2010)

Live at the Regent Theatre

album

Celebrating the music & magic of Jimi Hendrix 40 years after his passing! Thaddeus Hogarth continues his musical evolution as an award-winning singer/songwriter/guitar virtuoso, balanced with his career as associate professor of guitar at Boston's famed Berklee College of Music.

BIO:

Born in England and raised in St. Kitts, West Indies, Hogarth brings a diverse set of musical influences to his current Boston-based project. His brainchild is a powerhouse unit delivering a collection of serious funk-rock R&B tunes that make you stop, listen and groove. Through multiple national tours of the U.S. (including Boston, Montreal and Newport Jazz Festivals) and international distribution of his recordings, Thaddeus' songwriting, vocals, guitar and harmonica playing have been heard worldwide. In this show, Thaddeus relives the power guitar renditions of Jimi Hendrix with a show-stopping performance.

Various Artists

Diaspora Global Mixtape movement (2010)

album

International record label Nomadic Wax set to release Volume 1 of Diaspora: A Global Mixtape Movement

Nomadic Wax crests new heights with the highly anticipated release of their international mixtape project Diaspora.

Created as en effort to expose the world to global hip-hop and urban culture and facilitate cross cultural exchanges amongst international artists, the Diaspora project features a diverse vein of some of the world’s most talented MC’s, vocalists, DJ’s and producers. The mixtape will showcase urban music from around the globe, but with a twist. Each volume of the series will highlight a different producer from around the world, and a host emcees who donate 16 bars to the project.

Diaspora uses portable digital technology and the internet as its production tools; each artist in the project records and sends their track which is then assembled and mixed by the Nomadic Wax team.

“As a record label we’ve taken a completely radical approach with this project. While other record labels are trying to find more ways to control their music and artists, we’re doing the opposite,” said Nomadic Wax Creative Director Magee McIlvaine. “Every artist that contributes a track to the collaboration will retain the same rights as Nomadic Wax to distribute, sell, and disseminate the music. In this way Diaspora is a truly collaborative mixtape and a celebration of fair-trade ideals.”

Mixed by Philippino American DJ Boo of the Juggaknots, and produced by Benny Beats of the U.S., Volume 1 features upcoming talent from Africa, Europe, North America, and Latin America, each spitting a conscious 16 bars that showcase where they are from and what they represent.

“Its easy to think of how different we are to others in the world,” said DJ Boo. “One thing that I’ve learned is that, language aside, many of our stories are more similar than different. Nomadic Wax’s Diaspora mixtape uses one of the most accessible mediums to capture that – music. Hip-hop music.”

About Nomadic Wax – Nomadic Wax is a fair-trade international record label and production company dedicated to producing and promoting global urban music and media.

KRS-One

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2010 (2010)

album

KRS-One is a philosopher, activist, author, lecturer, and emcee. Since founding canonical Hip Hop act Boogie Down Productions in the mid-1980s, he has released a granite-solid catalog of 19 full length albums, along with a star-studded list of collaborations. In 1988 he founded the Stop the Violence Movement, a collective of artists, activists, educators and entertainers exploring the roots of violence while working to promote the development of positive conflict resolution methods. He is currently producing an album celebrating the organization’s 20th anniversary, with contributions by Nelly, Method Man, Busta Rhymes, the Game, Hakiem Green, Grant Parks, Duane “Da Rock” Ramos, and many others. KRS-One is an accomplished public speaker who has delivered lectures at over 500 colleges, universities, and other venues. In addition to The Gospel of Hip Hop, he is the author of The Science of Rap, and Ruminations. Currently, KRS-One is touring the United States with Stop the Violence, urging America’s urban centers to seek non-violent conflict resolution over revenge and war.

Eric Hofbauer

American Fear! (2010)

album

"With American Fear!, creative guitarist Eric Hofbauer once again exposes his funny bone, effectively demonstrating that jazz and humor are not mutually exclusive. Like American Vanity (Creative Nation, 2002), this is a solo guitar effort mixing unusual covers with quirky originals, all delivered with the Boston-based artist's extroverted minimalism.... For all its variety, drawing on recognizable elements of jazz and other musical traditions, Hofbauer's voice emerges here unique and distinct, blending the comedic with the tragic—and having some serious fun."

-Tom Greenland at allaboutjazz.com

Recorded by: Eric Hofbauer, under the direction of Dan Cantor for Notable Productions

Mixed and Mastered by Dan Cantor for Notable Productions

Little Martha

TheaterWorks (2010)

album

The Jackson Jills

BOCA 2010: Best of College A Cappella 2010 (2010)

Selected Track

album

Notable Production did most of the production and recording for the Jackson Jills 2010 release. Daniel Cantor was engineer and Mix engineer. Additional tracking and mixing by Ed Boyer. Assistant Engineering by Livia Lin and Phil Dong and Laura McLaughlin

Poetic Pilgrimage

Bear Witness (single) (2009)

album

"Poetic Pilgrimage are an exciting female Hip Hop and spoken word duo from the UK who are set to take the world by storm with their unique sound, intelligent lyrics and unparalleled charisma. They are a rare act, being one of the few Muslim female outfits around and are unafraid to express themselves through the art of rhyme.

Poetic Pilgrimage brings a refreshing perspective on issues of identity, immigration, and global politics and as one of the very few Muslim, female Hip Hop acts in the world, their music reflects this unique experience. The world has much to learn from the lyrics of these two women.

Muneera Rashida and Sukina Abdul Noor were both born in Bristol to Jamaican parents, and have been performing together as Poetic Pilgrimage for 6 years. The early part of their career saw them as favorites on the London poetry circuit where they performed alongside some of the biggest names, placing them at the forefront of the fast-growing International Muslim Hip Hop scene. They use their music to unite their community with the greater hip-hop and music scene.

Their musical goals are to make progressive Hip Hop music that fuses their African and Caribbean roots with their musical tastes such as Jazz, Afrobeat, Soul and beyond, providing a creatively comparable backdrop to their message of peace, unity and freedom.

The group has toured all over Europe and the United States and have performed alongside artists such as Talib Kweli from the USA, K’naan from Somalia and Mutabaruka from Jamaica. They have received critical acclaim and press coverage from many of Europe's most notable publications.

Whether helping youth learn to write heartfelt poetry, or rapping at the most male-dominated Hip Hop venues, Poetic Pilgrimage has become one of the most well-known and well-respected Muslim hip-hop crews in the world. "

Outside of writing and performing, Zee is a grassroots organizer, and an established Hip Hop academic. In the fall of 2006, he founded the first college chapter of KRS-ONE’s organization Temple of Hip Hop. Since then he has produced the Annual Trinity International Hip Hop Festival, which has become the foremost world hip-hop festival in the United States. He has worked with Hip Hop luminaries such as Jeff Chang (author of Can’t Stop Wont Stop), Charlie Ahern (Director of Wildstyle), Byron Hurt (Director of Hip Hop Beyond Beats & Rhymes) and pioneers like Grandmaster Caz, Tony Tone of The Cold Crush Brothers, DJ Disco Wiz, Fab 5 Freddy and Pop Master Fable of Rock Steady Crew. Within the last four years, Santiago has received coverage from the BBC, NPR, The New York Post, The Hartford Advocate, The Chicago Tribune, XXL and URB magazine."

BeatBurgerBand (Czech Republic)

Live at Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival (2009)

2009

album

All members of the BeatBurgerBand are big personalities in the Czech hip hop, theatre and music scene. Jaro Cossiga is the founder of this incredible band, built on a high level of beatboxing skill. They use the elements of classical beatboxing, new school beatboxing, vocal beatboxing, beat rhyming, soul, pop, classical and aliquot singing, rap, slam poetry, standup comedy, electric boogie and theatre. All these ingredients create an extensive show full of surprises.

Comrade Fatso (Zimbabwe)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

"Comrade Fatso is one of the most explosive and controversial acts in Southern Africa today. Comrade Fatso calls his art Toyi Toyi, radical street poetry that mixes Shona with English and electrifying guitars with mbira and pulsating hip hop. It’s a riotous new music that's an uprising against oppression.
2008 saw Comrade Fatso and his band Chabvondoka launch their much-acclaimed album, House of Hunger, praised internationally but banned in Zimbabwe because of its criticism of the regime. House of Hunger is now on sale through different record labels worldwide. Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka have performed extensively, having been invited to perform at festivals and venues in USA, France, UK, Germany, Portugal, Holland, Barbados, Reunion and all over Southern Africa.
Comrade Fatso's poetry and music have appeared in print and broadcast media in over fifty countries around the world and is being studied in universities in Germany, UK, USA, France and South Africa.
Continuing their upward spiral Comrade Fatso and Chabvondoka perfomed at one of Europe's biggest and most prestigious festivals, Exit Festival in July 2010.
‘Undeniably alluring’ (Globe and Mail, Canada), ‘Irresistably danceable’ **** (Songlines Magazine, UK) , ‘A powerful artist.. A ground-breaking album’ (Voice of America, USA), ‘The most revolutionary album since Thomas Mapfumo's music in the 1970’s’ (Agence France Presse) ,‘House of Hunger is a gloriously crafted bit of afrobeat, a place where guitar, funk brass and mbira come together in the cause of righteousness’ **** (New Internationalist Magazine, UK) ,‘Fantastic’ (BBC Radio 3, UK)"

Moustapha Faye

Galan u Sabar ci Ngéwël (2009)

album

Galan u Sabar ci Ngéwël is Moustapha Faye’s first recording under his name. It was released in November 2009 during his residency as a Distinguished Visiting Scholar at Suffolk University in Boston, MA and is a true representation of his skills.

His knowledge of the géwël tradition and his abilities as a musician is evident on this CD. All of the pieces are traditional but the arrangements are all Tapha’s. The musicality and distinctiveness of each rhythm is clear yet their connectedness to a larger whole is always in evidence. Beginning with Tagumbar, “the first rhythm to be played,” the eight selections on the CD also serve as a document of the géwël tradition. The significance of each rhythm and arrangement is wonderfully explained by Moustapha in the liner notes.

Moustapha pulled together an amazingly talented group of musicians to play on this CD. Some of the musicians were from his generation, but many of them were his nephews, members of Sing Sing Juniors, who Moustapha trained as they were growing up. The familiarity of the musicians with one another (they are all family) enabled them to play the arrangements flawlessly, with a powerful elegance and musicality. The results, captured on this CD, are amazing.

The CD is presently available at CDBaby.com (http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/MoustaphaFaye), in CD or digital form. Also available from the Géwël Tradition Project ($15.00), which can be reached by leaving a message at this blog site or at siphob@singsingjuniors.com.

Mohammed YahYa (UK/Mozambique)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

"Mohammed Yahya is a Mozambican born Rapper who was forced to leave his country during civil war. Having moved to Portugal, the young Mohammed yahya began to show an interest in music, partly due to his father’s influence as a singer.
Being surrounded by poverty, Mohammed yahya used music and poetry to channel his thoughts, energy and emotion in a positive manner. Early influences were from African music such as Kizomba, Funana and Marabenta.
Later, having moved to London, Mohammed yahya become involved in various Hip Hop groups such as M.U.M.M.Y.A’S and Geneva Konvention. After Geneva Konvention spilt Mohammed yahya and Iron braydz formed Blind Alphabetz, to focus their musical attention on. The conscious and politically charged duo has been likened to Public Enemy among others and supported acts such as: Guru, Dead Prez and Saigon.
In late 2007 Mohammed Yahya released his first album “Luvolution” alongside Iron Braydz, featuring some of the most respected artists in UK, and U.S. In early 2008 Blind Alphabetz spilt up and Mohammed yahya decided to pursue his solo career as well as involve himself in artistic activism. He is one of the founders of Rebel Muzik Arts foundation, who put out a compilation cd in 2004, and a monthly Hip Hop, spoken word poetry night in London. Mohammed Yahya is highly involved in interfaith work and alongside Daniel Silverstein started the 1st ever Muslim/Jewish Hip Hop collective in U.K.
He is also the president of Speech for Peace, an organisation that aims to create a positive movement that will inspire all communities to work together towards constructive engagement between one another exemplifying understanding and compassion in the work for social justice and human dignity beyond the barriers of religion, ethnicity and nationality.
Mohammed Yahya has received a great deal of publicity due to his positive artistic activism and has been featured in BBC, Channel 5 news, Islam Channel, Peace TV, Channel U just to name a few TV stations as well as respected publications such as : New Nation newspaper, Hip Hop Connection, Platform Magazine, Emel. His music has been played across the world and he has been invited to perform in England, Scotland, Morocco, Mozambique, Norway and Sweden.
Mohammed Yahya impressively delivers soulful street poetry with hair raising honesty in both Portuguese and English allowing him to reach a wide audience across the world. "

Blitz the Ambassador

Live at Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival (2009)

2009

album

Blitz is a Ghanaian-born independent Hip-Hop artist who now resides in Brooklyn, NYC. His musical style is inspired by early pioneers such as Fela Kuti and Hugh Masekela. He counts KRS-1 and Rakim as his first Hip-Hop influences, and is akin to the more contemporary sounds of The Roots and Mos Def. Blitz’s music has a strong emphasis on old school break beats and intelligent, horn-heavy instrumentals, while addressing current international issues. Backed by a dapper 6 piece live band “The Embassy Ensemble”, Blitz produces one of Hip-Hop’s most innovative and genre bending studio albums of 2009, “Stereotype”.

K’naan (Somalia)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

"(Keinaan, meaning traveller in Somali, born 1978) is a Somali-Canadian poet and hip-hop artist. Born in Mogadishu, at age 13 he left for New York City with his mother and brother and finally settled in the Rexdale neighbourhood of Toronto.

In 2001 K’naan performed in Geneva at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees."

DJ Boo

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

Always a great music collaborator, Dj Boo rocks where ever he gets his hands on the tables. He rocked the KRS-One set at last years Trinity Festival with no warning or prep with this legendary MC on fire and they were taking no prisoners. What he has added to our African Underground Productions has been sensational.

Dan

"DJ Boo is a Fil-Am DJ based in NY who has rocked all over the great city. And whether he is throwing down the best in Hip-hop, Reggae and classics in NYC, or laying down instrumentals for local MC’s at ""Words"" at The Nuyorican Poet’s Café it can be seen that DJ Boo is steadily becoming a recognizable name in this ever growing Hip-hop scene.

His skills as a DJ has given him the honor of opening up for the likes of Kool G. Rap, Wu Tang Clan’s Ghostface Killah, Aesop Rock, Mr. Lif, Talib Kweli and the Beat Junkies’ own DJ Shortkut. His talents are not just limited to rocking parties, for his name can also be seen alongside underground hip-hop artists like Adagio, Super Natural, ApSci (Applied Science), Consequence of A Tribe Called Quest fame, and Southern California based electro-funk artist, Uberzone.

He is currently working with The Juggaknots, Koba, The Misnomers and Nomadic Wax’s Global Underground All-Stars. DJ Boo has been the resident DJ for the Trinity International Hip-Hop festival for the past three years."

Hired Gun

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

Born in Jersey but representing Brooklyn since 2000, Mikal Amin Lee is better known by his rap alias Hired Gun. He has traveled the world working with producers in Europe and Asia while blending in his own hometown influence. In addition to rapping, GUN is also a activist and mentor to the youth and has spoken at various prestigious universities throughout the US to help encourage the youth. In a recent interview with Lee he talks about his career, how he feels about mainstream rap music today, and working with the youth.

Mohammed Yahya

So Journ (Single) (2009)

album

Mohammed Yahya is a Mozambican-born Rapper who was forced to leave his country during civil war. Surrounded by poverty, Mohammed yahya used music and poetry to channel his thoughts, energy and emotion in a positive way. Early influences were from African music such as Kizomba, Funana and Marabenta.

Mohammed Yahya has received a great deal of publicity due to his positive artistic activism and has been featured in BBC, Channel 5 news, Islam Channel, Peace TV, Channel U just to name a few TV stations as well as respected publications such as : New Nation newspaper, Hip Hop Connection, Platform Magazine, and Emel. His music has been played across the world and he has been invited to perform in England, Scotland, Morocco, Mozambique, Norway and Sweden. He impressively delivers soulful street poetry with hair raising honesty in both Portuguese and English allowing him to reach a wide audience across the world.

Mohammed was at Notable in April 2009 for a new collaboration on a multi-artist collaboration.

Mr. Reo (Haiti)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

Flatbush’s Rising Talent Mr. REO, the consummate Haitian via Brooklyn rapper, uses his style to reflect his roots more than any grim urban reality. Born in the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, REO took up drums in grammar school before discovering rhyming at the tender age of 11. Being the son of a Kompa musician, the rapper grew up listening to and appreciating music. Music’s always been a family affair for REO. And he takes great pride in his musical roots and like his grandfather, REO plays the timbales when he’s on stage. (Yeah I’m on some diffrent ish)!! Currently REO’s polishing his debut EP “The Lure,” featuring the track “Fanm Ayisyen” (Haitian Women), produced by the Haitian musical icon John “Papa Jube” Altino of Altino Productions, and featuring the well renowned singer Stanley “tantan” Toussaint, along with a video for initial promotional release. Transitioning between edgy and laid-back, REO claims many influences old school and new. KRS-One, Rakim, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Scarface, Nas, Tupac, Notorious B.I.G and Jay-Z have all played a part influencing his style. He’s also heavily influenced by the dancehall reggae he heard pouring out of the houses in his neighborhood. “I grew up with it. It’s a predominately Caribbean community.” “I get lyrical inspiration from the music. I let the music take me there. I don’t try to go against the flow with it. I talk about world issues, personal things and stuff everybody can relate to.” Aside from rap stardom, REO wants nothing more than to honor the memory of his big band musician grandfather and guitar-playing father, both of whom have passed on. “It’s a family tradition I’m carrying on.” REO:”I’m a voice you have to listen to. I command respect.” Take notice and “Get Hooked To It!” MAKE SURE TO GET YOUR FREE COPY OF MR. REO’S SUMMER 2007″GET HOOKED TO IT” GLOBAL EDITION MIX TAPE TODAY, PLEASE CHECK BLOG.

Princess of Controversy

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

ARTIST SUMMARY

Genres: Hip Hop / Alternative / R&B HipHop Soul

Label: Evolution Soul Music Inc.

Management: Armetia Cato armetiac@yahoo.com

ARTIST BIO

Soulful! Powerful! Engaging! Sexy! Conscious! True hip-hop. All of this and more make up the dynamic ARTIVIST, Princess of Controversy. Her debut album release, Personal Messenger, hit the ground running in 2004 & took by storm the attention of the Metropolitan area. Princess likens herself to the style of Lauryn Hill mixed with a splash of Queen Latifah & the boldness of Betty Wright. POC is a refreshing new face to the world of "Femcees." The ARTIVIST has a deep passion for making hip-hop that people will respect, listen & party to (all 3 are required for a POC song). This courageous Leo is determined to roar! Now underway with her 2nd album, Princess says it’s time for her to elevate her game & kick in more doorways for femcees.

Outspoken (Zimbabwe)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

Outspoken is a well-known and popular poet who honed his natural gift at the ‘House of Hunger Poetry Slam’ in Harare for the last few years, and emerged as one of the leading young poets of his time. He formed the group The Essence in 2007 and successfully fused his work with a rich mix of the music which attracts and influences young urban Zimbabweans today. They have been described as “a fresh, radical sound in Harare combining conscious lyrics with an afro-soul, hip hop sound” (The Zimbabwe Standard).
“What makes him stand out is his ability to compose lyrical content that has global appeal and significance beyond the borders of his homeland” wrote Ethel and Chris Kabwato, in an article on performance poetry at www.kaganof.com/kagablog/2009/02/16/new-voices-in-performance-poetry-in-zimbabwe).
In an interview with the US internet website Coke Machie Glow, Outspoken is quoted as saying, “All I have to give is my message and my experience... as long as I can get to a person’s mind, and enlighten them about a situation, and have them thinking and spark up a positive image, I think my work is done. I just need positive energies to support a brutha. I think that’s like the most powerful prayer someone can give to someone else.”

Outspoken has performed regularly in Southern Africa having featured at most major poetry festivals in Zimbabwe, Botswana and South Africa, where he has played in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Grahamstown. Further afield, Outspoken and fellow rebel poet Comrade Fatso toured the US in April 2009 “from Massachusetts to Connecticut”, putting Zimbabwean performance poetry squarely on the map in that country. He has held skills-sharing workshops in both local and US schools as well as participating in the British Council program: ‘Power In The Voice’ as the hip-hop mentor for Harare.

OutSpoken and the Essence (Zimbabwe)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

Tongai Leslie Makawa, known in the emcee and spoken word circles as Outspoken, is a very deep man. He is a regular entertainer at a number of joints in Zimbabwe’s capital, Harare, and also in neighbouring South Africa. His music is full of hard-hitting words, usually referred to as conscious lyrics.

On his MySpace page Outspoken says his influences are life, sound, light, love and existence on this planet.

“Influences stretch from the mountains in Chivu, the bustling of life in Mufakose, the city sites of Harare, the oneness with the earth in Mazowe, to the break beats in Brooklyn! The soul found in my Afrikan people worldwide, the struggles against a system that refuses to give the people their freedom, the everyday race-man and the modern day slave-man. The rhythm found in every single persons heartbeat, sunlight and moonshine, star dust and land-mines blowing up limbs of minors (miners) the blinging of my bruthaz on MTV, ignorant that most of those minerals they rock should be called rubies, cuz they run deep with the colour red of my peoples blood.”

^ An intense moment. Outspoken during a performance at the Mannenberg.

“My influence is worldwide, outernational hip-hop, from afrika to all places where land has relevance! My influence is all the "little" nations being bullied by the IMF, World Bank and the World Trade Organisations. My influence be those people standing up against privatisation and capitalism at the expense of the masses! My influence is them people that believe in free education and radical change to the educational system! My influence is everyone concerned with the poison that multi-nationals off load in our backyards! My influence... can’t be contained in words!”

ZimboJam recently had a chat with Outspoken, who shared some insights on his personal, poetic and musical life.

It was, as his poetry and music is, a lyrical journey that left us somewhat awed. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself reading and rereading certain paragraphs. We did too…

Who is Outspoken?

Outspoken is a collection of ideologies. I am not to be confused with an ordinary person, or rather taken as someone born of a mother and father.

Outspoken Alpha-Intellect is the last of four siblings, the first of his kind, a third of his thoughts projected from the depths of his mind. The fifth element representing the element of life, the word-thought balanced over act, Dialectrik Blue-TSU's (The Supreme Ultimate) one half!

Recorded by Daniel Cantor / Notable Productions

Chabvondoka (Zimbabwe)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

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Hired Gun

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

Born in Jersey but representing Brooklyn since 2000, Mikal Amin Lee is better known by his rap alias Hired Gun. He has traveled the world working with producers in Europe and Asia while blending in his own hometown influence. In addition to rapping, GUN is also a activist and mentor to the youth and has spoken at various prestigious universities throughout the US to help encourage the youth.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

Game Rebellion

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

album

http://www.myspace.com/gamerebellion http://www.myspace.com/gamerebellion "What can you say about an all-Black all-outta-Brooklyn band whose metal, punk and rudeboy skanking licks sound as credible and crunchy as their Hip Hop lyrics and headnodding bounce? Game Rebellion makes the difficult sound effortless and the miraculous seem second nature: A hard rockin band with a B-boy MC who can actually spit? No problem! An upcoming EP created by a band that actually rocks and flows? No problem!

With a strong fanbase behind the movement, Game Rebellion is firing up the next phase of their career with the new single “Blind” and accompanying video in December 2009, a series of shows across the country, and their EP Sounds Like a Riot on January 18, 2010. Game Rebellion is a band of amazing musicians dedicated to defying the rules and creating their own way. The guitar solos of Yohimbe will leave you stunned at his free-flowing artistry and technical skill. The lyrical prowess and production of Netic provide an unobstructed view of the angst of young rebels everywhere. The musicianship and vocals of Emi display the conviction and the passion of a misunderstood generation. The thick and layered sound of Ahmed on the bass will remind everyone that Game Rebellion is not here to play nice. The amazing versatility and hard hitting percussion of Aaron provide the perfect tempo for the Game Rebellion mantra: We Play By Our Own Rules: Welcome to the Rebellion!

Game Rebellion has been making big waves on the New York scene since 2006. The men found common ground after a gig they played together at Irving Plaza, and the musicians-for-hire soon became a band on fire! Since then, they’ve ventured across the country and overseas to further to slam heads, rock houses and muddy the lilywhite waters of Hip Hop and Rock from NYC and Cali to Puerto Rico and the UK.

The range of their individual influences in music is so vast – like Prince,The Cure, Jimi Hendrix, The Isley Brothers, Bad Brains, Johnny Cash, Megadeth and Guns & Roses to name a few – that it’s near impossible to put a label on the Game Rebellion vibe. Sumptuous… urgent… cacophonous… anthemic – the sheer monstrosity of sound pumping through the speakers is enough to keep your mind open. “Its shock therapy,” Ahmed asserts. “It will change your standards of pop music.” Game Rebellion’s stage show is driven by frenetic synergy between the multi-talented quintet and their fans. “The feeling we get from performing live is the energy transfer from us to the audience and back,” explainsEmi. “Each show raises the level of the transfer, because we have people who know the music and who rally behind what we bring to the stage. The resulting effect is better than any high.” Netic delves a little further into their amazing connection with fans: ”Game Rebellion is the Alpha Team you send in when you want to get hostages or kidnapped children back. We move in quietly with the mosh pit squad, then boom! We throw C4, Semtex, Flash and Frag Grenades! Big explosions while we walk in slow motion… and when the smoke clears we always save the villagers. We leave as quietly as we came. We don’t have fans, we have recruits!”

As they gear up for the release of their EP in January, the bandmates are all buzzing with excitement. “I’ve been very anxious about the release of this new record,” Ahmed professes. “This will be our first project with all original songs.” “I pulled in my friend Circuit to assist on some of the synth and programming work,” Netic explains. “I love the production process of making records more than anything else, so I take it very serious. The people I work with on the Game Rebellion projects become very close friends due to the intensity and personal passion that goes into our music. ‘2012’ is by far my personal favorite on Sounds Like a Riot – it’s the song that speaks the most to the absurdity of our reality: There’s a whole in the sky / The city’s on fire / You ain’t fly ni**a / We’re all gonna die.”

The Game Rebellion movement is far more intense than what meets the eye, as passion, ingenuity, electricity and spirituality collide, merging genres and subculture-induced soundscapes for the next generation. Their commitment to the music is only superseded by their commitment to each other. “Game Rebellion came together out of a need to create an environment where we can all be the best at our selected positions,” says Emi. “We all have similar values and musical tastes. The reason why this band works is because we all believe in each other. We hold each other down, and we are all accountable for making this movement work. In Game Rebellion, it is a band of brothers against all odds. We will do it together, or not at all.”

Poetic Pilgrimage

Inchallah (single) (2009)

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Poetic Pilgrimage (Muneera Rashida and Sukina Abdul Noor) make progressive Hip Hop music that fuses African and Caribbean roots, with the musical and spirtual traditions of their faith. The draw from their musical tastes such as world music, jazz, afrobeat, soul and more, providing a refreshing backdrop to their simple message of peace, unity and freedom. They are a rare act - one of the few Muslim female outfits around that are not afraid to express themselves through the art of rhyme. The cover personal, socio-political, uplifting and insightful themes. They were both born in Bristol to Jamaican parents and have been performing together as Poetic Pilgrimage for 6 years.

Bio: Sidi Mohamed Camara, popularly known as "Joh," was born in Bamako, Mali in West Africa.
He continues to teach traditional Mande culture, language, music, and dance as well as those of neighboring Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Senegal. In addition to holding weekly classes in Boston and touring the United States, Canada, and France, he currently teaches at various community centers and instructs a semester dance and drumming class at Boston University and Harvard University. Through his willingness to share at national conferences, community workshops, and academic engagements, Sidi continues to enhance cross-cultural exchanges and to make a positive imprint on the fabric of cultural arts and education in America.

Brandon Patton

Underhill Downs (2009)

album

"Underhill Downs" is Brandon's sophomore record and 3rd album in collaboration with Notable. After a stint as the bass player in Dan's band Hummer, I started collaborating with Brandon on a number of projects. Brandon's writing is one part John Vanderslice, one part Peter Gabriel, and part Magnetic Fields.

Moussa Sall

Baay Musa (2009)

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This extraordinarily gifted singer/rapper has been working with Notable on a number of songs including: "Illegal Alien", "Ghetto", and "African Boy".

Origin: Senegal

Bio:Hailing from Dakar, Senegal, Moussa Sall, better known as Baay Musa, is an incredibly versatile hip hop artist and singer, or 'chanteur' as they are known in French. The musical traditions of Senegalese culture had a heavy influence on him growing up. He is working right now on his first solo album which will share the struggle and the pain of his journey from Africa to the US. In his own words, "Music is the only way and Ja Allah will guide as we follow. Peace and Love, Jaam ak salam in the lives we lead. Wa Salam.""

The Jackson Jills

Full Swing (2009)

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"Full Swing" is the third Jackson Jills record we have had the pleasure to work on. We also appreciate the additional work Ed Boyer put in to mix and finalize the record.

Awards:Nominated for a CARA for best female collegiate album of the year
Selected for BOCA 2010: Best Of College A Cappella
Only One" selected for Voices Only 2009 CD 6/17/09

Reviews:"It gives me great pleasure to report that your mother's Jackson Jills are nowhere to be found on Full Swing." -- Elie Landau

"The energy and excitement crackles and sparkles on track after track. The Jills are definitely in full swing, singing with gusto and bravado that infuses the heart with as much joy as it does the ears." - Thomas King

"What sets the Jills apart from the crowd is their rock emphasis, which makes itself felt through several aspects of the performances." -- John Colton

Hickory Strings

Patches (2009)

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Patches is a trio album. The record features 11 new Hickory Strings compositions with Geoff Brown on mandolin and guitar, Mark Whitaker on banjo, and bassist Gian Pangaro. The album was recorded live with no overdubs and very few edits, resulting in an exciting new sound for the group.

Luminescence

Nonpareil (2009)

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3 CARAs for Luminescence!
Luminescence took first place in the following CARA categories:

Best High School Album: nonpareil
Best High School Song: Miss Independent
Best High School Soloist: Suzie Wyman, Miss Independent

Luminescence will appear on BOHSA!
Our track "Breathe" has been selected for the 2009 Best of High School A Cappella compilation.

Praise for Notable:

"We were thrilled to record our CD "nonpareil" with Daniel Cantor of Notable Productions. Notable is located in Watertown, MA (just outside of Boston) and on the web at www.notable.com. You can also find Dan on MySpace - he's our No. 2 friend. Our good friends the Jewel Tones recorded their album at Notable in 2007, so we are very pleased to work with Dan and have enjoyed the benefits of Dan's studio wizardry. This CD will feature a broad range of styles, from tight barbershop harmonies to brooding alternative ballads to vocal perc-driven pop. Dan knows how to highlight the unique character of each song, using his impressive bag of Pro Tools tricks, without obscuring our signature Lumi sound. We think you will hear our love and enthusiasm in every track." -A. Reoder

Pa Seck Diery

Pa Seck Diery (single) (2009)

album

Amazing young Sabar player from Senegal, Pa came to my attention while playing with Sabar Master Lamine Toure and his Group Saloum. Pa was the young lion in the sabar ensemble and his smile and dancing are infectious. He makes it look easy. I knew when he said off-handedly that he wanted to make a record with me, he meant business. He had that look in his eye of a cat with something to prove and his first recordings are a testament to his passion. I got to collaborate with Michael Lewis (drummer from Group Saloum) while engineering these recordings.-Dan

Recorded and produced by Notable Productions.

Lance Martin

Physical Jazz (2009)

album

This old school buddy o' mine has the heart of teddy bear and the soul of 70's record. He's a lovely man and an amazing artist who loves my dogs more than anyone. We recorded this record at Ryles the day my baby Lena was born in addition to a handful of subsequent dates at Notable Productions. Thanks go to Matt Malikoski and his remote team that subbed for me at Ryles while we were eating bagels and pushing out babies at Mt. Auburn Hospital.

African Underground All-Stars

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

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The African Underground All-Stars include hip hop performers from all around the world that collaborate with Nomadic Wax on tracks and in shows. The depth of this well of performers is astounding, and their countries of origin span the globe. The MCs are supported by a cast of musicians who are equally international. Artists include but are not limited to Chosan, Optimus, and Iyeoka. Lead by Nomadic Wax's Benny "Beats" Herson

LF & DJ Laylo (Brazil/Dominican Republic)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2009 (2009)

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Ive been Privaledge to work with this amazing team live and at Notable on some tracks. I'm hoping they return to Boston in 2011 for some fresh tracks.

Here is some info about them:

"Eli Efi & DJ Laylo are a hip hop duo that delivers sharp political lyrics over apocalyptic beats. Hailing from São Paulo, Eli Efi is a hip hop legend in Brasil. In 1988, he founded the politically charged rap group DMN and went on to record five albums receiving praise from the hip hop community and music industry alike. The group was nominated for best video and best rap group at the MTV Brazil Video Music Awards, best rap song of the year at the Hutus Hip Hop Awards Festival, and won best music video at the São Paulo Shorts Film Festival.

In 2004, he left DMN and now continues his musical career alongside DJ Laylo. Laylo hails from the South Bronx by way of the Dominican Republic. Together, they bring hip hop back to a place where MCs rocked alongside DJs to move the crowd but with an international flavor with LF rhyming in Portuguese and Laylo always finding a way to blend some Samba or Salsa into the brew. They have performed throughout the United States, Brasil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile and performed alondside all the major names in Brazilian and Latin American hip hop. They have also shared the stage with U.S. Based artists such as Styles P, Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Jeru da Damaja, Immortal Technique, Ras Kass, Lord Finesse, CL Smooth, Hurricane G, David Banner, among many others."

Various Artists

Nunde Ke No Na Bai (2009)

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Rap Reacts to political assassinations, Guinea Bissau 2009 -

On June 5th, 2AM:
Presidential candidate Baciro Dabó and Member of Parliament, Helder Proenca were assassinated. These political murders came only three months after the March assassination of President João Bernardo "Nino" Vieira, and his rival, armed forces chief of staff Gen. Batista Tagmé Na Waie.

June 5th, 11PM:
Cobiana Records publicized a press release regarding the present state of Bissau and within hours, Nomadic Wax proposed that “BIG UP GB” – Guinea Bissau’s newly formed hip-hop movement, react!

June 6th – the day after:
The streets were stale. Though there was no present danger, most Bissau-Guinean’s stayed in-doors safe in their shells of demoralization. Hip Hop however, stepped-up. Seven Bissau-emcees, all affiliated with “BIG UP GB” came together in the only functioning recording studio in Bissau, to record a three-track compilation or mix-tape.

This mix-tape entitled, “Nunde Ka No Na Bai” (Where Are We Going?) depicts the raw expressions of these young rappers in response to the lawlessness and political violence that have troubled Guinea Bissau since its independence from Portugal in 1974.

Supported and produced by Cobiana Records and Nomadic Wax the mix-tape epitomizes the potential of Hip Hop to instigate social change.

Guinea Bissau is most commonly depicted as a “Narco-state” in the media and is highly unstable, both politically and economically. Presently, the nation is entering a second round of presidential elections.
credits
released 07 July 2009

Oneal Armstrong

Live - Oneal Armstrong at the Middle East (2009)

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Oneal Armstrong has been entertaining audiences for years with their instrumental mix of funked up jazz, rock, psychedelic, drum and bass, and African influences. Mixing many original pieces with familiar but re-worked covers, Oneal Armstrong keeps audiences attention from beginning to end, leaving them cheering for more.

Poetic Pilgrimage

So Journ (single) (2009)

album

"Poetic Pilgrimage are an exciting female Hip Hop and spoken word duo from the UK who are set to take the world by storm with their unique sound, intelligent lyrics and unparalleled charisma. They are a rare act, being one of the few Muslim female outfits around and are unafraid to express themselves through the art of rhyme.

Poetic Pilgrimage brings a refreshing perspective on issues of identity, immigration, and global politics and as one of the very few Muslim, female Hip Hop acts in the world, their music reflects this unique experience. The world has much to learn from the lyrics of these two women.

Muneera Rashida and Sukina Abdul Noor were both born in Bristol to Jamaican parents, and have been performing together as Poetic Pilgrimage for 6 years. The early part of their career saw them as favorites on the London poetry circuit where they performed alongside some of the biggest names, placing them at the forefront of the fast-growing International Muslim Hip Hop scene. They use their music to unite their community with the greater hip-hop and music scene.

Their musical goals are to make progressive Hip Hop music that fuses their African and Caribbean roots with their musical tastes such as Jazz, Afrobeat, Soul and beyond, providing a creatively comparable backdrop to their message of peace, unity and freedom.

The group has toured all over Europe and the United States and have performed alongside artists such as Talib Kweli from the USA, K’naan from Somalia and Mutabaruka from Jamaica. They have received critical acclaim and press coverage from many of Europe's most notable publications.

Whether helping youth learn to write heartfelt poetry, or rapping at the most male-dominated Hip Hop venues, Poetic Pilgrimage has become one of the most well-known and well-respected Muslim hip-hop crews in the world. "

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2008 (2008)

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Self Suffice

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2008 (2008)

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Khaiim the Rapoet, known to his audience as Self Suffice, causes listeners everywhere to wonder how this artist compelled them to clap to the beat of an impromptu rhyme. Self Suffice performances are a mind-blowing musical thought process which produces insight and makes the audience marvel at the power of words. To watch Self Suffice perform live is to bask in the glow of a professional who truly loves poetry & Hip-Hop. “My mother grew up involved in the Civil Rights movement, and friends with many artists/activists. So naturally, I just thought that all artists were expected to make you think deep and feel good” says Self Suffice. Among the artists that were very influential that Self Suffice performed for and learned the art and the business from were Talib Kweli and Jessica Care Moore. Self Suffice the Rapoet has competed and made it to the final round in two major emcee battles. It was at the Invoice Open Mic, where he tested out a few poems he had written while in college. The promoters were so impressed that they booked him to be the featured act, and he has been their official host ever since. Self Suffice has been featured along side with such luminaries such as, Mos Def, De La Soul, Immortal Technique, Rise and Shine, Wordsworth, Saul Williams, Mums, Stronghold, Kenn Starr, Oddisee, and numerous others. He has also hosted discussions on his upcoming book, “Getting a Bad Rap” at Trinity College and at Yale University. Self Suffice remains busy performing his poetry, teaching workshops, and hosting emcee battles, and is currently in the Studio working on his solo debut release.

Aaron Shadwell

Shadwell (2008)

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Talented singer songwriter Aaron Shadwell has been working to define his sound. Shadwell, formerly known and Engine, rocks hard. His voice flows like 50 year-old whisky over your gums. Watch out for his next release.

Jim's Big Ego

Support The Truth (2008)

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Jim's Big Ego, the people who brought you the song, "Asshole" - background to the web famous viral video by filmstripinternational.com, now bring you their very first purely electronic pressing (ep) of 5 outrageous songs of outrage. A protest album in an age sadly lacking in protest albums.

Chelsey Reardon

A Cappella for the World (2008)

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Though she already has her diploma in hand, Chelsey Reardon's Marblehead High School Senior Project continues, not that she minds. After all, there is a lot more at stake from her efforts than a few class credits. The first part of her project, creating a CD of top-notch a cappella music, is complete. But now her challenge is to sell 300 copies of that CD, entitled "A Cappella for the World," at $15 each to raise $4,500, which will provide 64 Honduran families with clean drinking water.

Brandon Patton

Jukebox Stories The Official Bootleg (2008)

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Wellesley Widows

Unwed (2008)

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The Widows have been nominated for a 2008 Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award! Both our album, "Unwed", and a song on it, "Who Makes You Feel" (Original artist: Dido) are nominated!

Results come out April 1st. Check us out on the CASA website and see the other nominees!!!

http://www.casa.org/content/view/1110/40/

Thanks to our fans for all of your support!
NEW ALBUM, "UNWED," NOW AVAILABLE

It's here! After many hours of arranging, planning, recording, designing, and hoping, "Unwed" is finallyout and taking the a cappella world by storm. The Widows sound better than ever! Thanks to Erin Brown '07 for designing the CD cover and booklet, to Dan Cantor at Notable Productions for his production support, and for John Clark and Ed Boyer at Jamaica Plain Productions for taking the time to produce our album! Our fall concert on December 8th coincides with our CD release party.

After this date, you can purchase a CD by sending $15 in cash or checks to Katie Colaneri, our treasurer at: Katie Colaneri, 21 Wellesley College Rd. Unit 1235, Wellesley, MA 02481.

Jim's Big Ego

Free* (2008)

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The moment arrived! Jim's Big Ego is proud to announce the release of free* - the fifth full-length studio effort by "the greatest band in the history of recorded music." Highlights of the new release:

* 13 tracks of over-the-top Ego-goodness featuring Jim, Jesse and Dan, many which have never before been played live.
* Co-produced by long-time JBE recording engineer, Ducky Carlisle
* Guest appearances by a host of amazing musicians such as Catie Curtis, Mike West, Jennifer Kimball and Dave Crossland

•-----------------------------------------------------
FREE* DIGITAL DOWNLOADS AVAILABLE NOW!
•-----------------------------------------------------
You can now download a free* high quality MP3 of "International" -
the first track on the album. Features harmony vocals by Catie Curtis and
piano and organ by Fenway Park organist, Josh Kantor.

You may also download the entire album for free*.
We've set up a tiered payment system for downloads - the more you pay,
the more you get. Suggested price is $9.99.

The Big Ego Featuring as always Jim, Jesse and Dan. This album also has guest appearances by Catie Curtis, Mike West, Jennifer Kimball and Dave Crossland. The record (yes, there is a vinyl version) features the awesome work of audio engineer Ducky Carlisle and great mastering by Jonathan Wyner at M-Works. Dan recorded and edited some of the basics, various vocal tracks and most of the grand piano, wurlizter and organ overdubs at Notable Productions with Josh Kantor (Boston Red Sox organist). Dan also contributed drumming, percussion, electronic drums and singing.

Brandon Patton

Jukebox Stories: The Official Bootleg (2008)

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What is Jukebox Stories? Jukebox Stories is a two-man show featuring stories written by Prince Gomolvilas and songs by Brandon Patton. During performances, the stories and songs were arranged as a bingo, and increasingly crappy prizes were given away as the night progressed and the audience became more drunken. It’s like Spalding Gray meets Flight of the Conchords. David Sedaris meets Tenacious D.

MC Frontalot

Secrets from the Future (2007)

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Omzo (Senegal)

African Underground: Vol. 2 (2007)

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Omzo is easily one of Dakar’s most unique and influential MCs. Omzobegan rapping as a young teen in the Senegalese Ghetto of Thiaoarylocated on the out skirts of Dakar. Unlike many other young MCs in hishood Omzo preferred to rock the crowd in his mellow, laid back flows.In the year 2000 Omzo released the single “Kunu Abal A Beut”(translated: The Hand That Leads is the Hand That Rules) a scathingattack on corrupt politicians, globalization and the World Bank. Thesong caused such a stir locally that it is cited as having had adirect effect on the 2000 elections when the former corrupt regime wasousted. Without a doubt Omzo is one of Dakar?s true hip-hop leadersbringing truth and consciousness to his audience. Look out for hisalbum on Nomadic Wax in 2004!

Omzo (Senegal)

Omzo (2007)

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Omzo began rapping at the age of 14 on the streets of Media, an impoverished ghetto in the heart of Dakar Senegal. As Omzo began performing in his 'hood', word spread fast around Medina about the young rapper ‘with the relaxed and laid back style’ and flow. His style was in sharp contrast to other groups in Senegal at that time most of whom preferred to rhyme in lighting fast Wolof. Omzo soon earned respect in Dakar's vibrant and competitive underground Hip-Hop scene. He amazed crowds all over Senegal touching them with lyrics that dealt directly with daily struggle, politics and spirituality. By rapping about these kinds of topics Omzo began to truly define his artistic personality and lyrical skills. In 2000 Omzo participated in yet another compilation called "POLITICHIEN" "(Political Dogs)"(Fitna Prod). With this compilation Omzo was propelled into nationwide popularity with his legendary track "Kunu Abal Ay Beut" (The Hand That Leads is the Hand that Rules). The song was a scathing attack on corrupt leaders, the IMF and the World Bank and demanded Senegal’s leaders to take responsibility for their actions. The song was one of the first hip-hop tracks in Senegal to be embraced by both the young and old alike and was said to have had a direct influence on the elections in Dakar in 2000. In 2003 Omzo was invited to attend a global Hip-Hop summit in Berlin Germany where he represented Senegal along side a number of European and international hip-hop groups.Omzo also participated in the "African Underground" compilation series produced by Brooklyn based producer BENNY BEATS of Nomadic Wax LLC. The track "Missalu Aduna" (The Philosophy of Life) went on to achive regular airplay on radio internationally.Omzo continued to work with Nomadic Wax and went onto record his debut full-length album "JAMM JEXNA"(No Rest ‘Till We Get What We Want).

BocaFloja (Mexico)

Live at Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival (2007)

2007

album

MC, poet, and panelist with five solo albums released and one book published. Bocafloja is a pioneer of the utilization of hip hop culture as an alternative tool to create awareness and political participation in Mexico and one of the most recognized hip hop icons in Latin America. The artist is both founder and member of the Quilomboarte Collective. Bocafloja currently lives in the United States. For more information, request a press kit through bocafloja's contact email.

Surreal Knowledge

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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Hailing from Blackpool, Lancaster and Morecambe, but now living in Manchester, Surreal Knowledge are a four piece hip hop group consisting of Derogatory a.k.a Stoopid iLL (DJ / Producer / MC), Jay Madden a.k.a Homicide (MC), Mr Dick (DJ / Producer / MC) and Da Sharpest a.k.a Swamp Thing (DJ / Producer). SK take influence from various forms of music, drawing upon elements of Rock, Jazz, Funk, Soul, R n B and Electro with all the elements of Hip Hop. Surreal Knowledge tracks are made up of Sampled Loops & Stabs, Live Instrumentation, Scratches, Rapping and occasionally Singing. The group has performed live across the UK and have supported many established acts such as Tim Westwood, Adam F, Scratch Perverts, Klashnekoff, Skinnymanand DJ Cash Money to name a few. The Surreal Knowledge live show consists of DJ tricks, MCing Original Material and Freestyling (along with the odd stage prop and bright green operating scrubs thrown in for good measure!) Mr Dick and Derogatory have also performed several times with Grand Central Record's Funky Fresh Few, after appearing on their album Stealing. Surreal Knowledge are currently putting the finishing touches to their debut album THE TRI-SPECTRUM ARGUMENT PHENOMENON, after forming and working closely under the Tactical Thinking Records label.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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Rebel Diaz

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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Based in the South Bronx by way of Chicago, Rebel Diaz's music is on blast amongst the freedom fighter set. From welcoming Hugo Chavez in the BX, to opening for Rage Against The Machine in a migrant farmworkers action, they've been the pulse of the movement in the last year. Fronted by the Afro-Boricua songstress/MC Lah Tere and Chilean brothers RodStarz and G1, this group prepares to be true "periodistas de la esquina/street journalists"; reporting from the trenches on life, love, the streets and the struggle.While touring the US, Europe, and Latin America, they have stayed committed to their work organizing in the South Bronx, using Hip Hop as means for youth education and empowerment. Whether at community-based events, or when sharing the stage with the likes of Common, Public Enemy, dead prez, and Mos Def, Rebel Diaz’s explosive sets have introduced many to this fierce bilingual trio.Getting love from the academic world for their poignant social commentary, the crew has also gained momentum in the University lecture/panel circuit, taking national conferences by storm with their energetic performances and workshops. They recently opened a community arts center in the South Bronx, the Rebel Diaz Arts Collective.

DJ Laylo (Domincan Republic)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

album

DJ Laylo is a pleasant surprise in any music scene. Her unrelenting commitment to good music and rocking the crowd has earned her a reputation for being able to give any venue a house party vibe. Born in Puerto Rico to Dominican parents, her musical selection reflects her upbringing in New York City. DJ Laylo effortlessly blends Hip Hop, Soul, Latin, House, Reggae, and Afrobeat to the delight of partygoers everywhere. She is the co-founder of Liberation Lounge NYC and has held ignited dancefloors from Berlin to Brazil and at premier New York City clubs such as Santos Party House, SOBs, B.B King's, Crash Mansion, Sutra, Southpaw, Rose Live, Sputnik, Libation, among many others. Her work in the arts and the community has been featured in The New York Times, The Source Magazine, El Diario la Prensa, XXL Magazine, among other publications. Laylo is also one half of hip hop duo Eli Efi and DJ Laylo. Blending banging beats with sharp lyrics, Eli Efi & Laylo bring forth the best of Brazilian Hip Hop. Together, they bring hip hop back to a place where MCs rocked alongside DJs to move the crowd but with an international flavor with LF rhyming in Portuguese and Laylo always finding a way to blend some Samba or Salsa into the brew. They have performed throughout the United States, Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile and have shared the stage with U.S. based artists such as KRS One, Chuck D, Styles P, Dead Prez, Talib Kweli, Jean Grae, Jeru da Damaja, Immortal Technique, Ras Kass, Lord Finesse, CL Smooth, Welfare Poets, Hurricane G, David Banner, among many others.

Narcy (Iraq)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

album

Yassin Alsalman (aka The Narcicyst) is an Iraqi MC/Media Master born in the UAE, raised in Canada and continually questioned by the powers that be. His musical career was spawned through the collaborative work of the Euphrates family, a growing collective of Muslim visual artists, musicians, painters, filmographers and photographers. He has released two albums with Euphrates, A Bend in the River and Stereotypes Incorporated. His master’s degree in Media Studies focused on identity politics in hip-hop poetics, specifically the Arab-American experience, through a thesis project entitled Fear of an Arab Planet. A book with the same title is forthcoming, as well as a new album called The Illuminarcy.

La Bruja (Puerto Rico)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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Caridad De La Luz, p.k.a. La Bruja, is a multifaceted performer, known for her mesmerizing poetry and characterizations. She was featured on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry Jam for HBO. Director Spike Lee let her improvise her lines in his film Bamboozled. She danced salsa/flamenco in Vanessa Williams and Chayanne’s music video for Dance With Me. Her rhyming and singing talents have extended into the music genre, recording with artists such as Fat Joe, B-Real, Tony Touch, Afrika Bambaataa and Boogie Boy Kid Delight RIP. Her one-woman show Boogie Rican, received raving support since 1998 from San Francisco to Switzerland. The show is a semi-autobiographical tale about growing up Puerto Rican in the Bronx. In 2002, the show was developed into Boogie Rican Boulevard, a fictional tale, written and performed by Caridad De La Luz, directed by Nelson Vasquez; about a dysfunctional Puerto Rican family struggling between tradition and the modern day values taught on the streets of the Boogie Down Bronx. She has been featured on the pages of Shout, Vibe, Source, XXL, BLU, AWOL, Italy’s Aelle, One World, Mass Appeal, New York, Urban and Stress Magazines, Puerto Rico’s newspaper El Vocero and In The House Magazine, her work was also published in El Centro journal for Hunter College. Television appearances include Galascene, Primer Impacto, Urban Latino TV, several NYC Cable programs and she starred in commercials directed by Spike Lee for IAM.com. Her theater performances include the Hip Hop Theater Festival NYC/Washington DC, Ubu Enchained which toured in Poland and NYC, Pedro Pietri’s El Spanglish Language Sandwich, and Hip-Hop festival Women Like This held in Switzerland. This dedicated artist/activist makes time to teach a writing/theater workshop called "How can I change the world?" The workshop was developed first for The East Harlem Tutorial Program in 2000. She has since been an invited keynote speaker at countless schools, universities, conferences, jails, health centers and community events around the country to shed light on the benefits of art, culture and self-expression.

Rebel Diaz

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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Rebel Diaz came together at a critical moment in U.S. history. In early 2006, as Latinos throughout America found themselves under attack with anti-immigration laws, Rebel Diaz was in the streets of The Bronx, New York, organizing the community to fight against proposed racist legislation. As a result of strong activist work throughout the United States, Rebel Diaz was invited to perform their revolutionary music at the historic immigrant rights march in New York City in front of 500,000 people, who cheered loudly as they demanded power to the people and an end to immigrant scapegoating for America’s economic ills. In the months that followed, Rebel Diaz performed in front of hundreds of thousands of people in massive protests from Chicago to Washington D.C. The opportunity to speak to the masses is a direct extension of their political work in the South Bronx as well as their experiences growing up in Chicago as the sons and daughters of revolutionaries.The Afro-Boricua sister Lah Tere, with her powerful voice and sharp lyrical prowess, grew up in Chicago’s historic Puerto Rican community of Humboldt Park. The daughter of revolutionary educators and survivors of Chicago’s notorious ghettos, Lah Tere’s soulful sound recalls memories of Iris Chacon, Jill Scott, and La Lupe. Years of fronting a successful Salsa band while still in high school, along with her street credibility as a lyrical force to be reckoned with, have prepared Lah Tere for the even bigger stages still to come.Lah Tere’s co-conspirators, Chilean brothers RodStarz and G1, round out the trio that is Rebel Diaz. Raised on the north side of Chicago by Chilean political exiles, a young RodStarz stayed off the streets by focusing his energy on breakdancing with the legendary Champions crew. It was only natural for him to proceed to begin rocking mics, beginning as a successful battle MC, and developing into a powerful songwriter of razor sharp lyrics filled with incisive social commentary. RodStarz’ love of Hip-Hop culture was passed down to his younger brother G1, who began producing while living in the slums of his parents’ native Santiago, Chile during his teenage years. Combining elements from the Dirty South to South America, G1’s hard-hitting soundscapes and catchy songwriting is the perfect backdrop for RodStarz and Lah Tere’s important message.Using the power of hope and the struggles of the past as inspiration, these sons and daughters of revolutionaries express their wishes and demands for a just and compassionate world. In the streets of every ghetto across the world, one can hear the sound of people fed up with poverty and second-class citizenship. Rebel Diaz arises from these conditions to fan the flames of change through songs that inspire, educate, and celebrate life.

The Foundation Movement (Puerto Rico/Liberia)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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Foundation Movement members; Eroc and Optimus are a diverse group of artists with origins from Puerto Rico and Liberia who met in Boston and united to form the group. Not another rap group with watered down lyrics, and messages of misogyny and materialism. They're committed to addressing issues of injustice and oppression, while also entertaining crowds with hot beats and relevant lyrics. Foundation Movement has performed at local clubs, open mics, college campuses, high schools, and rallies and protests, for crowds of 30 to 30,000. In the short time the group has been together, Foundation Movement has shared the same stage with KRS-One, Rakim, The Last Poets, X-Clan, Dead Prez, The Coup, C.L. Smooth, Pharoahe Monch, Greg Nice, Michael Franti/Spearhead, Saul Williams, Edo.g, Medusa, YZ, Wise Intelligent/Poor Righteous Teachers, Soulfege, Lee Wilson, Supernatural, Billy Bragg, Akrobatik, Mr. LIF and Amiri Baraka. The Foundation Movement was the only international group invited to perform with the Cuban Hip-Hop All-stars at the closing of the 9th Annual Hip-Hop Festival and Conference in Cuba for a crowd of over 20,000. Internationally, Foundation Movement has also performed in Canada, Europe, Bahamas, South Africa, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Israel and Palestine. You can catch the Foundation Movement regularly performing across the North East United States in Boston, Providence, New York City, Philadelphia and a city near you. Recently chosen as Boston's Best Hip Hop Act in the Improper Bostonian's Best of Boston Issue, the Foundation Movement continues to be one of Bostons top Hip-Hop acts, with songs crafted with creativity and balance, and backed by the polished production of the experienced, Omen, Upryz, DJ Liphted and their live band MoFire. With The Foundation already laid in Boston, this group is ready to build nation-wide.

The Jewel Tones

Tied Together (2007)

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The Jewel Tones recorded and released their multiple CARA nominated CD "Tied Together" with the help of Notable in 2007. Since then the Jewel Tones have continued their visits to the studio to work on their third production. Marblehead's original coed a cappella group is one in a family of a cappella ensembles making up Marblehead High school's chorus and voice program. Led and directed by Ms. Amanda Roeder, the Jewel Tones have performed with high school, collegiate, and professional groups from all over the country since 2003.

"A cut above what you're gonna get from most high school groups ... this is what I want to hear when I pick up an album." - Chad Bergeron, The Acapodcast

Les Nubians (France)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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Founded in the spring of 2006, the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival was created to combat the disunity, segregation, and violence of Hartford, CT and Trinity College. Using the historically education-oriented and politically revolutionary medium—Hip Hop– and focusing on its global potency and proliferation, the Trinity International Hip Hop Festival works to unify Trinity College, the city of Hartford, and the Globe.

Trinity Hip-Hip festival is produced and recored by Nomadic Wax and Notable Productions. Learn more about the Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival:

The Fat City Band

Good Time Guaranteed (2007)

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Foundation Movement

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2007 (2007)

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On February 27, 2003, the City of Boston declared the day Foundation Day. The City of Boston not only honored the group for their musical talent, but also recognized Foundation Movement for their commitmentto the community and for making positive changes in a city with a history of violence, racism, segregation, and political corruption. Foundation Movement members; Eroc, Optimus, and DJ El are a diversegroup of young artists with origins from Puerto Rico, Liberia, and Guatemala, who all met in Boston and united to form the group. This cultural fusion, as well as their experiences growing up in Boston, has influenced The Foundation's music.

The Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival is produced and recorded by Nomadic Wax and Notable Productions. For more information about the festival, visit:

Terry Kitchen

Heaven Here On Earth (2006)

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Terry Kitchen has finished his 8th CD "Heaven Here on Earth" with Dan co-producing. The album features some unusual arrangements including a stereo Zither intro and a String Quartet.

From terrykitchen.com:

11 and a half songs about love, war and waitresses. Co-produced by Kitchen and Daniel Cantor (drummer for Jim's Big Ego), heaven here on earth is the most adventurous and energized of Kitchen's eight solo CDs. While still highlighting his literate, detail-rich songwriting, intimate vocals and deft guitar playing, the album features a full band on most tracks and a spirit that harkens back to Kitchen’s rock'n'roll past. With sounds ranging from accordion ("The Seven Eleven Overture") to autoharp (the title tune) to a string quartet ("Nothing Works Better") and players including Alizon Lissance, Jesse Flack, Annie Raines, Brice Buchanan (from Kitchen's '80s band Loose Ties) and Cantor, heaven here on earth is Kitchen's most fully realized recording to date. The beautiful cover print, "papilliones japonaise," is by Provincetown artist Christian Kozaki.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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Anonoymous Inc.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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Anonymous Inc. is a loosely knit musical group started by brothers Ceschi and David Ramos in 1994. In 1995 they recorded an album which was never officially released to the public, this enlisted the rapping talents of young mcs iCON the Mic King and Kofi. In 1996-97 they recorded what would be their first tape, the ultra-silly H.O.E.P. of which only 100 or so were sold before the band decided to never show it to anyone again. The H.O.E.P. lineup consisted of Ceschi Ramos,David Ramos(drums), Mike King (lyrics and turntables), and Mike Lasse (Bass) with help from Nic Kenna(as the patriot), Sachin(analog 8 track engineering). The next recording project that the band tackled was what would eventually become their first released self titled CD. Songs written from 1998 to 2000. This came out as a limited CDR in 2000 and sold in the Bay Area only. During later 2000 and 2001, the CD was "cleaned up", much was re-recorded, new songs were added and the project was mastered. This album, finally released in 2001 will be most people's introduction to the anonymous inc. Since late 1998 or so, anonymous inc. has been mainly a jazz fusion based experimental band with many diverse influences from hip hop to latin jazz to progressive/psychedelic rock to IDM and Drum and Bass to children's music and modern classical music.....

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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Dola (Tanzania)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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"MC Dola, a Tanzanian rapper who is one of the biggest-selling artists in East Africa, said that outside of the US, stars maximise their appeal by talking about social issues and rapping in their own language.

""We have been able to filter out the elements of sex, money and drugs - you don't get that in Tanzania,"" he explained.

""You don't get airplay if you talk about these things in your music. Over 99% of the rap in Tanzania is in Swahili - and it actually has a political message to it.

""They are the records that sell and appeal to a wider demographic of people than any type of music."" BBC News"

Recorded by Daniel Cantor / Notable Productions

KG and the Band (Kenya)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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K-G and The Band was formed under the leadership of the Lead Vocalist K-G. K-G Originally from East Africa , a US immigrant formed the band under the vision of diversity in Music and Culture, hence the band's sound is so Unique that it has its own brand name. They call it "Afro-Urban Music". The band comprises of members from the Caribbean, Europe and Latin America. All this builds a unique sound that is only compared to a combined feel of SADE, Bob Marley, Seal,Dave Mathews band and Wyclef Jean all in one.

Narcy

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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"Yassin Alsalman, better known by his stage name The Narcicyst (or Narcy), is an Iraqi hip hop performer. Originating from Basra, he was raised in Dubai. Now living in Montreal, Canada, he has experienced both the Western world and the Arab world. He was frontman to hip hop band Euphrates but is now going solo after the loss of one of the band members.

Rapping in both Iraqi Arabic and English, his complex lyrics address some of the most politically charged issues of our time, including the 9/11 attacks, the invasion of Iraq, Islamophobia and the Israeli occupation of Palestine. He has also done shows in Spain, United States, Canada and the Middle East. One of his songs, ""Commodore 64"", was a club hit on the East Coast of North America."

Eli Efi and DJ Laylo (Brazil/Dominican Republic)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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" Eli Efi and DJ Laylo blends banging beats, politics, and a global perspective. Eli Efi
is a well-known hip hop pioneer from São Paulo, Brasil. In 1988, he
founded the politically charged rap group DMN and went on to record
five albums receiving praise from the hip hop community and music
industry alike. The group was nominated for best video and best rap
group at the MTV Brazil Video Music Awards, best rap song of the year
at the Hutus Hip Hop Awards Festival, and won best music video at the
São Paulo Shorts Film Festival. In 2004, he left DMN and now continues
his musical career alongside DJ Laylo.

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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Okai

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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Most people think of Brooklyn and the first thing that comes to mind is the over population of MC's and some damn good pizza. Well BK's got a new mascot now, Okai. Okai, a native of Flatbush Brooklyn was drumming on anything he could get his hands at the age of five. By the time his twelfth birthday came along hip hop had exploded and his ears were infected by the conscious sounds of collectives like The Natives Tongues, Leaders of The New School. Being that both of his parents are Haitian he is also influenced by Caribbean music such as Rara (Roots) and Reggae. He has blended all of the music that inspires him into his 2nd album “Int’l Party” Regime Change (Okai, Max!m!L , Lu lotto aka Stupid). Okai got up with legendary hip hop producer Ayatollah to create his first album “Dekonstruktion of the Mind” which was released in 2006. Okai performed at Madison Square Garden at the 2006 Latin Grammy's playing Djembe for Louis Fonsi Latin singer, and has traveled all over the country touring with international MC's representing world Hip-Hop culture. Okai is working on a reggae influenced album with Brown Rice Family and a Hip-Hop mix-tape that should be released by the summer of 2010. As a humanitarian Okai works with children and teaches them how to play percussion instruments. Okai visits disadvantage children in detention centers and the elderly in Hospitals, brightening up their days with his drumming and poetry. He recently gave a lecture at the United Nations on Haitian immigration and politics. He performed in Toronto, Canada at Gulu Walk, a fundraiser for the children of Uganda. Okai chose his name as homage to his homeland; it's the name of the city his family is from. Considering the Devastation that has happened in Haiti it is very important to him to spread awareness of the beautiful people of Haiti. Keep Haiti in your prayer. http://www.okaimusik.com/Musik/itunes_images/images-5.jpg click on the button to download from iTunes! """"WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD THE SONG STARVATION 100% OF THE PROFITS GO TO ACTION AGAINST HUNGER!"""" . LIMITED EDITION! Bout That b/w Face/Off 12" feat. Planet Asia prod. by Ayatollah http://www.okaimusik.com/Musik/Bout_that-_Cover.jpg

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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Attitude & Bamboo

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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Bamboo was featured in the film Hip Hop Colony as one of the premiere rappers from Kenya, and in a clip featuring himself and emcees Big Mike and Attitude rapping over live guitar chords, Bamboo's style combines American and Kenyan content while being delivered in a markedly American accent and flow. When asked about the majority of his songs being in English, Bamboo stated, ""Rapping in English is the only way to infiltrate the US rap game and get respect because without that respect no one will even bother with you.

La Bruja (Puerto Rico)

Live at Trinity Int'l Hip-Hop Festival 2006 (2006)

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"Whether singing on Telemundo, performing on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, or appearing in History Channel docudramas, modern day renaissance woman La Bruja refuses to be put in a box. Her unique creativity and charisma has taken her from appearances in a Spike Lee film to running writing workshops for inner-city youth and even modeling for Levis in Glamour and Marie Claire.Now, with her debut album “Brujalicious”, this dynamic, gifted performer infuses hip-hop and reggaeton with her irresistible blend of potent intelligence, hot sensuality and lyrical skill. La Bruja has long been regarded as one of the leading American spoken word poets. With the release of “Brujalicious” she joins the ranks of artists such as Mos Def who infuse music with the power of word.
"

BocaFloja (Mexico)

Live at Trinity International Hip-Hop Festival (2006)

2006

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Aldo Villegas better known as Bocafloja, is an MC, poet, spoken word artist, and outspoken social communicator from Mexico City. Lyrically Bocafloja critically addresses topics such as institutionalized racism, social and political oppression, mental slavery, colonialism, and other human conditions. Bocafloja is recognized in Mexico as the pioneer of the utilization of hip hop culture as an alternative tool to create awareness, developing a different form for political participation that reaches and is more relevant to marginalized youth. Bocafloja currently lives and works between New York, California and Mexico City.

My Little Radio

My Little Radio (2006)

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Notable helped Producer Adam Rouke capture the hard rock sound of My Little Radio. These twenty-somethings have channeled their energy, heart and emotion, and emerged onto the East Coast music scene with a blend of melodic rock infused with snap beats and metal undertones. Their debut record will kick some doors in.